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I
T f
1
LJ
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES
IN
Ci
Lill
m
m
tKMQEUIMlV
535"
E
AND
wismii lERRiiiy.
Compiled from Published Works and from Private Information.
By
EDWARD S.J40LDEN, LL.D.,
PBESIDENT OF THE UNIVEBSITY OF CALIFORNIA, AND DIBKCTOE OF THE LICK 0B8EEVAT0EY.
PRINTED BY DIRECTION OF THE REGENTS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
SACRAMENTO:
STATE OFFICE, : : : J. D. YOUNG, SUPT. STATE PRINTING.
1887.
,\
INTRODUCTION.
As the Lick Observatory, at Mount Hamilton, and the Univer-
sity of California, at Berkeley, have already begun accurate reg-
istration of earthquake shocks and tremors by means of delicate
seismometers, it has seemed to be important to gather in one list
all the various records of past shocks in the region west of the .
Sierras. The sources of information have been :
First — Printed lists of earthquake shocks in the scientific jour-
nals, such as the lists of Mallet, Perrey, Rockwood, Fuchs,
Trask and others.
Second — Accounts of earthquakes in printed books, magazines
and newspapers.
Third — Lists of shocks put at my disposition by various gen-
tlemen, specially a list by Mr. Thos. Tennent, of San Francisco ;
a list by Prof. H. G. Hanks; and a very extensive collection
kindly furnished by Mr. H. H. Bancroft from his manuscript
records.
Fourth — Verbal accounts from various gentlemen.
I have to thank Professor Rockwood, of Princeton College,
for putting me in the way of gaining much of this information.
I have also to express my great obligations to the Board of Direc-
tors of the Mechanics' Institute Library, to the Council of the
California Academy of Sciences, and to the Librarians of the
Mechanics' Institute, Mercantile and Academy of Science libra-
ries in San Francisco, the University of California Library at
Berkeley, and of the State Library at Sacramento, for exceptional
facilities afforded me in the consultation of books. Mr. W. C.
WiNLOCK, of the U. S. Naval Observatory, has kindly consulted,
in the Library of Congress, books which were not available in
California. The various sources of information have been thor-
oughly examined, and the necessary data for a brief reference
list, or index, have been extracted and set in order in the cata-
logue which follows. I wish also to express my grateful thanks
to those who have kindly aided in this latter part of the work.
The list of books and periodicals consulted is given in the fol-
lowing
O
67988
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF WORKS RELATING TO EARTHQUAKE PHE-
NOMENA IN CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND
WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
Annua] Statistician, San Francisco; 8yo. (A. S.)
Annals of San Francisco, by F. Soule, etc., New York; 8vo.
Bache (A. D.): Notice of Earthquake Waves, etc.; U. S. C. S. Report, 1855, p.
342, and 1862, p. 238.
Banckoft (H. H.): History of the Pacific States; 8vo. (H. H. B.)
: Ms. notes kindly communicated. (B. Ms.)
Detaille (C): Statistique des trerablements de terre. V Astronomic, 1884-1887.
FucHS (C. W. C): Statistik der Erdbeben [1865-1885] Sitzungsber. d. Weiner
Akad. 1885, Bd. 92, heft 3.
Halley (Wm.): Centennial Book of Alameda County, pp. 257-269. Oakland.
1876; 8vo. Detailed account of damage done by the shock of 1868, Octo-
ber 21, in Alameda County.
Hanks (H. G.): Professor H. G. Hanks, late State Mineralogist, has been kind
enough to put all his manuscripts and other material at my disposition.
It is here referred to as H. Ms.
Hittell (T. H.): History of California. San Francisco ; 8vo. (T. H. H.)
HoLDEN (E. S.): Ms. notes by him, 1887. (E. S. H.)
Hopkins (R. C): in Report of the Commissioner of the General Land
OflBce for 1871, p. 213 ; [He has examined the Spanish Archives from 1767
forward ; and is of the opinion that the shocks of 1809, 1812 and of October,
1868, were of about the same severity.]
Mallet (R.); Catalogue of recorded Earthquakes from 1606 B. C. to A. D.
1850, by Robert Mallet, C.E., M.R.I.A., in the Repoit of the British Associa-
tion, 1854. (R. M.)
Milne (J.) : Earthquakes and other earth movements. New York, 1886; 8vo.
Mining and Scientific Press: for the years 1864-1872. Weekly newspaper,
San Francisco; 4to.
Nature: Vols. 1-34 (1869-1886). London; 8vo.
Pebrey (A.) : Note sur les tremblements de terre ressentis en * * * * Bull, de
VAcad. R. de Belgique, 1845; tome 13, p. 234. 1849; tome 17, p. 216. 1850;
tome 18, p. 291. 1851; tome 19, part 1, p. 353. 1852; tome 20, p. 39. 1853;
tome 21, p. 457. 1854; tome 22, part 2, p. 526. 1855; tome 23, p. 23.
Pebrey (A.): Note sur les tremblements de terre ressentis en * * * * BruxeUes^
MSmoires CouronrUeSjlS56: tome 8; (1859). 1857; tome 10; (1860). 1858; tome
12; (1861). 1859; tome 13; (1862). 1860; tome 14; (1862). 1861; tome 16;
(1864). 1862; tome 16; (1864). 1863; tome 17; (1865). 1864; tome 18; (1866).
1865; tome 19; (1867). 1866-67; tome 21; (1870). 1868; tome 22; (1872).
1869; tome 22; (1872). Supplement; tome 23; (1873).
6 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
Pebbet (A.): Sur les tremblements de terre aux Etats-Unis et au Canada.
Ann. de la Soc. (T Emulation des Vosges, tome 7, 2e cahier, 1850. [Not in any
library in California and not in the Library of Congress.]
Pebbey (A): Notes sur les tremblements de terre en * * * * 1850; M6m. <ie
rAcad.de Dijon, Ann^e 1851. 1851; Ibid 1852-53. 1853; Ibid 185L Lres
trenibiements de terre. etc., de la Cote N.O. d'Am^rique. Ibid 1865. [Noxk:
It is likely that many of the "eruptions" of Oregon and California moun-
tains, which are noted by Pebbey, were due to forest fires. E. S. H.]
RocKWooD (C. G.): Notes on American Earthquakes, by Professor C. G. Rock-
wood, Jr., Ph.D. Princeton, N. J. (C. G. R.) From the American Joum€M,l
oj Science. Third series. Vols. 1872-1887.
RowLANDsoN (Thos.): a Treatise on Earthquake Dangers, Causes and Pallia-
tives. (Referred to as R0WLAND.SON.) San Francisco, 1868 ; 8vo.
San Fbancisco Dibectoby: ("Chronological History" in each vol.), 1859-1887,
8vo.; referred to as S. F. D.
San Fbancisco (Chamber of Commerce) : Report of Sub-Committee on Earth-
quake Topics, pp. 14-15 of Report of C. of C. for 1870. San Francisco, 1870 ;
8vo. [A manusci-ipt report is there referred to, which is believed to be in the
possession of Dr. Blake.]
Shaleb (N. S.): On California earthquakes (1850-1866) in the Atlantic Monthly,
Vol. 25. Boston, 1870. [This paper contains no original data, but is com-
piled from the lists of Dr. Tbask.]
Shaleb (N. S.): The Stability of the Earth; Scribblers' Magazine, vol. I, p. 276
(1887).
Simpson (Sir Geobge): Narrative of a journey round the world during 1841
and 1842. Two vols. London, 1847. (See vol. 1, p. 344.)
Stillman (J. D. B.): Concerning the late Earthquake (1868). Overland Monthly ^
November. 1868.
Tennent (T.): List of earthquakes in San Francisco, 1851-1887, from a manu-
script kindly furnished by Mr. Tennent. Many of these are also printed
in the Annual Statistician^ q. v. (T. T.)
Tbask (J. B.): A Register of Earthquakes in California from 1800 to 1863.
[Reprinted from Proc. Cal. Acad. ScL, S. F.] San Francisco, 18^>4, 8vo.
Tbask (J. B.): Earthquakes in California, from 1812 to 1855. [Proceedings of
the California Academy of Natural Sciences], by Dr. John B. Tbask. Vol. I
(18&4-57). Vol.III(186a-67). Vol. IV, part L (J. B. T.)
Tbask (J. B.): Direction and velocity of the earthquake in California of the
8th and 9th January, 1857. Am,er. Jour. Sci., Jan., 1858, vol. 25, p. 146.
Veatch (J. A.): In Mining and Scientific Press, 1868, March 31, has an article on
Earthquakes in San Francisco, and specially on their direction.
Washington (United States Light House Board): Armual Report for fiscal year
1885-6, pp. 24, 25; 8vo. [Earthquakes will be regularly reported, in future,
by lighthouse keepers. I owe to the courtesy of Commander Evans, Naval
Secretary, the notice of several other shocks which have been reported in
manuscript and not printed, between 1887, June 24, and 1887, August 17.
E. S. H.]
1
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 7
Washington (United States Signal Service) : Monthly Weather Review. (U. S.
W.R)
Whitney (J. D.): On the Earthquake of 1872, March 26. There is a resume of
Professor Whitney's article {Overland Monthly ^ vol. 9), by Professor Rock-
wood, in Amer. Jour. Sci., vol. VI, 1872.
From the above sources of information the following catalogue
has been derived.
For each shock there is given, when possible, first, the year,
month and day; second, the hour. The hour is here given exactly
as it is found in the original. Usually it is expressed in local civil
time. In Dr. Trask's list it is intended to be astronomical time
(Oh. is noon, and 12h. midnight), though there are probably sev-
eral errors in this datum. For the later lists it is usually Pacific
standard time. In Mr. Tennent's observations it is San Fran-
cisco local mean time to and including March 25, 1884, and after
that date Pacific standard time. Professor Rockwood's plan to
avoid the danger of confounding a. m. and p. M. dates, is to adopt
the system of numbering the hours in the civil day from to 24
(Oh. is midnight, 12h. is noon). I have not brought the hours to a
single uniform standard, in order thp^t I might avoid introducing
mistakes in copying, and especially because very few of the times
are really accurate. Mr. Tennent's list is probably quite the
best in this regard. Since January 1, 1887, all the stations of
the Southern Pacific Railroad, and since August, 1887, those of
the Atlantic and Pacific Railway, receive a noon signal (Pacific
standard time) from the Lick Observatory, and since this date,
therefore, there is more likelihood that the times in this catalogue
are accurate. Third, the place or places where the shock has
been felt. Here the abbreviation '' S. F." stands for San Fran-
cisco. When necessary the name of the county is added for
more precision. Fourth, the intensity of the shock, expressed
either in common language or in terms of some arbitrary scale.
Professor Rockwood, in indicating the intensity, has used the
adjectives: 1, very light; 2, light; 3, moderate; 4, strong; 5,
severe; 6, destructive; but has added a Roman numeral to indi-
cate the intensity, according to the Rossi-Forel scale, adopted
by Swiss and Italian seismologists. In Professor Rockwood's
papers, very light is II or III; light, IV; moderate, V or VI;
strong, VI or VII; severe, VIII; destructive, IX or X.
I strongly recommend the use of the Rossi-Forel scale, on
account of the definiteness of the classification and because of
8 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
the regularity of the gradations. In order to make it better
known in California, I reprint it here:
THE ROSSI-FOREL SCALE.
I.
Microseismic shock — recorded by a single seismograph, or by seismo-
graphs of the same model, but not putting seismographs of different patterns
in motion ; reported by experienced observers only.
II.
Shock recorded by several seismographs of different patterns; reported by a
small number of persons who are at rest.
III.
Shock reported by a number of persons at rest ; duration or direction noted.
IV.
Shock reported by persons in motion ; shaking of movable objects, doors
and windows, cracking of ceilings.
V.
Shock felt generally by every one; furniture shaken; some bells rung.
VI.
General awakening of sleepers ; general ringing of bells ; swinging of chan-
deliers ; stopping of clocks ; visible swaying of trees ; some persons run out of
buildings.
VII.
Overturning of loose objects; fall of plaster; striking of church bells; gen-
eral fright, without damage to buildings.
VIII.
Fall of chimneys ; cracks in the walls of buildings.
IX.
Partial or total destruction of some buildings.
X.
Great disasters; overturning of rocks; fissures in the surface of the earth;
mountain slides.
Fijih — A brief reference to the source of information, so that
in nearly all cases the original record can be consulted, if desired.
Exceptionally heavy shocks, such as those of 1865, 1868 and
1872, are treated with more fullness than the lighter ones propor-
tionately.
I shall be very grateful for additions and corrections to the list;
and I beg that those into whose hands the present publication
may come, will communicate to me the particulars of any earth-
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 9
quake shocks which may occur in future. I should be glad to
have either newspaper extracts, or fuller written accounts.
The information asked for can be very conveniently given by
answering the following questions, which are copied from circular
No. 3 of the Division of Volcanic Geology of the United States
Geological Survey, prepared by Captain C. E. Button, U. S. A.,
in charge :
1. Post Office address; town, county, and State.
2. Place and date of observation.
3. Name and address of the observer, if other than the writer.
4. Position and occupation of observer at time of the shock,
and character of the ground. State whether observer was in the
house or out of doors; what kind of a house; up stairs or down;
what doing at the time; whether the ground at surface was rock,
clay, sand, or loam; about how far down to solid rock.
Note. — If the shock was not felt in your neighborhood, although noticed at
places not very far distant, do not fail to answer these first four questions, as
negative reports are of great interest in defining the limits of the disturbed
area, etc. State also the nearest point to your station where the shock was felt.
5. State as exactly as possible the time of commencement and
the duration of each shock.
The exact time of the beginning of a shock (to the nearest second), one of
the most important of all observations, is difficult to get correctly, because of
the great velocity with which the wave travels (about three miles a second),
and because the watch or clock must be immediately compared with a clock
known to be keeping standard time. If several hours have elapsed before the
comparison is made, another comparison should be made an hour later, in
order to find whether your time-piece is gaining or losing, and how much.
Unless it is stated that this has been done, the observatioi^ cannot be regarded
as a good one till confirmed by other reports. Telegraph operators, railroad
officials, watchmakers, etc., have especially good opportunities for answering
this question correctly, and their cooperation is most earnestly solicited.
6. Give any facts that you can as to sounds accompanying
shocks and as to the direction in which the earthquake wave
seemed to travel.
If any sound, other than the mere creaking of woodwork, etc., accompanied
the shock, state as fully and accurately as possible whether it preceded, accom-
panied, or followed the shock, and what interval there was, if any ; also what
the sound was like. Describe the character of the shock, whether a tremor or
an undulatory motion, etc., and whether you yourself or others had any clear
impression as to the direction in which it was moving, the facts upon which
this impression was based, and whether people agreed as to the direction.
7. Which number on the Rossi-Forel scale of earthquake inten-
sity best expresses the intensity of the shock in your vicinity ?
10 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
8. Give, also, any further particulars of interest, whether they
are from observation or from hearsay.
If a chandelier was noticed to swing, describe it, and state the direction and
amount of swing. If pictures swung, state direction of wall, and whether pict-
ures on other walls at right angles to the first were also put in motion. If
doors were closed or opened by the shock, state the direction of the wall in
which they are set. If a clock was stopped, give the exact time it indicated
(and anything known, as how fast or how slow it was), its position, the direc-
tion in which it was facing, and the length of the pendulum. If any changes
occurred in the ground, such as depressions or elevations of the surface,
fissures, emissions of sand or water, describe them fully. Mention any
unusual condition of the atmosphere; any strange effects on animals (it is
often said that they will feel the first tremors of a shock before people notice it
at all); character of damage to buildings, general direction in which walls,
chimneys, etc., were overthrown. Springs, wells, and rivers are often notice-
ably affected even by slight shocks, and any information in regard to such
changes will be valuable.
9. Name of the writer.
Note. — In replying to these questions, they need not be repeated ; but the
answers should be numbered to correspond to the questions.
!• •:
;- •• •-•
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
11
Tables op the Number of Earthquakes which are Recorded
IN each Month of each of the Years, 1850-1887, in Cal-
ifornia, Washington and Oregon.
In the three following tables I have counted the days in each
month of each year on which shocks (supposed to be diflferent)
have occurred. For example, a shock felt at a given hour at San
Francisco and at Oakland is counted as one ; but shocks at dif-
ferent places, as San Diego and San Francisco, on the same day,
are counted separately when they are not known to be parts of the
same phenomenon.
Table (A.) of the Number of Earthquakes which are Recorded in Cali-
fornia, Oregon, Etc., in the Years 1850-1887.
SB
SB
>
a
3. *
s
<
>
<
3
1
S
Year.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
\
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1^
"1
1
1850
8
15
6
22
1
1
1 ..
1
"i'
1
1
3
1 ..
1 ..
—
. 2
1
1851
4
3
4
5
1852
?
1853
4
2
1
2 ..
1
1
1
3
3
1854
22
2
1
2
3
4
1
2
1
1
3
1
1
1855
14
2
1
1 ..
2
2
2
2
2
1856
25
31
5
6
1
1
3
3
1
1
3
3
2
2
5
2
2
2
1
6
2
1857
1
1
3
1858
10
19
.-..
2
,
2
5
5
4
'"1'
1
2
1859
1
1 ..
4
1860
20
11
19
2
2
1
1
3
2
1 .
5
2 -.
2
'5"
i ..
3
.....
I
2
1
1861
1
8
2
1
1
1862
1
1
1863 -^.-
17
22
4
2
1
2
2
4
4
1
2
"■3"
1
3
3
1864
4 ..
2
1
1865
42
3
2
6
4
1
1 .-
2
3
16
2
1866
24
1
3
4 ..
3
3
1
2
1
1
5
1867
6
54
31
1
1
""'i' ..
1
1
1
26
4
"io'
5
1
3
1
1868
"2'
6
2
2
4
1
2
3
2
1869
4
2
5
1870
19
19
2
3
1
2
2
6
1
3
1
2
2
1
2
1871
2
5
2
1
1872
41
3
7
15
2
1 ..
..
1
2
5
2
3
1873
15
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1874
10
17
7
16
2
1
1
2
.....
.....
2 ..
—
1
'1'
2
1 ..
3 ..
—
2
1
1
3
2
1875
'"3"
1
2
I
5
.....
5
1876
1 ..
—
I
1877
1
2
1878
17
1
2
1
2
1 !
2
3
2
1
2
1879
8
26
....
2
"~i "
'3'
2
1
2
2
""i"
1
- — - -
'"'5'
1
1880
1 ..
10
1881
23
7
3
1
2 ..
.
1
2
1
1
2
3
1882
26
1
1
5
2
1
1
3
4
1
5
1
1
1883
28
27
2
4
1
3
2
1
2
1
2
3
4
3
7
3
1
3
6
1884
5 ..
3
1885
39
5
5
2
7
1
3
4
2
3
1
6
1886
12
1
—
3
1
2
1
2
1
1
Sums..
768
68
45
66
71 \
56
51 ^
15
53
85
88
57
83
§8
12 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
As many of the earthquakes of California are very local phe-
nomena, which depend upon local causes for their production, we
cannot expect to obtain very definite laws from a table like this,
which covers the whole of such a vast territory. Moreover, the
facilities for gathering information in the thinly settled portions
of the State were imperfect in the earlier years, and even now
shocks are not carefully recorded at more than two or three
places in the State. For these and other reasons, this table can
only give approximate results. It does not include every single
earthquake set down in the catalogue; since it was compiled before
the list was entirely finished. It, however, contains nearly all.
It is sufficiently full for its purpose, which is simply to show the
relative frequency of shocks in the various months. This is for :
f January 68
AiS.n>f '^^ ""'^llSZ, near Vernal Equinox (1850-1887).
^rii :::::::7i j ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^-^
r^J- 5?ll52, near Summer Solstice (1850-1887).
^^jSly ::::::::45/ (Dry season.)
September:::! l226, near Autumnal Equinox (185(^1887).
October 88 J (Dry Season.)
Ti2Jfr^w""«Ql208, near Winter Solstice (1850-1887).
January' .:::1/ ^^^^^^ «^^««-)
Rainy season, 390; dry season, 378. Thus for California, Ore-
gon and Washington at large, shocks are about equally probable
in the wet and in the dry season. Table A includes the data
derived from observations at San Francisco. If we form a similar
table which includes all the data for California, Oregon, etc.,
excluding San Francisco, the result will be, for:
'January 43
mI^.T''^ ■ -fn lll9, near Vernal Equinox.
Ap^Tl^-;;;.::'^; '(Rainy season^
¥^y o?ll05, near Summer Solstice.
jSr;.::::::::i; (^^y s^-o")
aJJS^™K;;""^llS9, near Autumnal Equinox.
Ocf :::Sl (O^y season.)
November. ..27 ^^^g^ ^^^^ ^i„jg^ Solstice.
iFanuaiy".:::!; '(Ra-y Season.)
Rainy season, 250; dry season, 264. (See the last column of
Table B.)
00
QO
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
13
Table (B.) of the Number of Earthquakes which have been Recorded
IN each Month of each of the Years 1850-1887 in San Francisco.
Year.
H
o
1
g
«5
May ._-_
July
Jaue
>
IS
September
%
■1
S5
<
1
►1
1
1
Total in Califor-
nia except S. F._
1850 ..
5
10
1
5
8
3
10
17
i
8
9
4
2
8
16
23
9
2
14
10
8
2
5
4
6
8
2
2
4
1
4
5
9
6
5
5
7
254
1
1
r
1
2
1 ..
1
—
1
3
1851
4
1
Ad
3
....
5
1852 ..
5
1853
1
1
"i"
1
1
17
1854
2
1 .-
2
1
1
2
....
14
1855 .
1
1
"2'
1
""2
3
2
2
1
11
1856
4
1
1
1
1
2
2
1 .-
15
1857 ..
1
5
1
2
1
3
1
14
1858
3
1859 ..
11
1860
1
1
.....
2
1 -.
1 ..
11
1861
1
1
7
1862
1
1
3
1
1
1
....
17
1863
1
"'i'
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
1
.....
9
1864 ..
1865
1
2
2
3
4
1
.....
2
1 ..
3
1
9
....
6
19
1866
1
1
1
15
1867
1
"7'
"T
4
1868
.....
3
1
1
'"X
"i
.....
.....
1 -.
2
1
3 .-
1
40
1869
21
1870
11
1871
1 .
— 1 —
17
1872
1
3
36
1873
"2'
.....
2
.....
1 ..
1
....
11
1874
1
1 ..
4
1875
3 ..
_ _
1
1
3
9
1876
5
1877
1 ..
1
14
1878
1
1
2
— .
1
13
1879
7
1880
1
1
1 .-
1
2
22
1881
1
1
2
1
25
1
3
1
18
1882
1
1
2
1 ..
1 .
—
1
2
1
17
1883
3
22
1884
1 ..
— -
—
1
22
1885
1
1
35
1
1
30
1
1
22
34
1886
1
1
1
13
5
26
11
21
Sums .
22
15'
17
17
514
\
The number of shocks recorded at San Francisco in the sepa-
rate months (1850-1887) are:
January 25
February 22
March 26
April 15
May
June
July
August ....in g7 Autumnal Equinox,
beptember ..21 J. ' ^^^^ Season.)
October 35
November... 30
December
January..
\63,
}R47.
13 J
::gl"
..25)
near Vernal Equinox.
(Rainy Season.)
near Summer Solstice.
(Dry Season.)
, near Winter Solstice.
(Rainy Season.)
14 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
Rainy season, 140; dry season, 114. Shocks are considerably
more frequent in the rainy season than in the dry, contrary to
the rule for the State at large. The average number of shocks
per month is \^. January, March, October, and November have
decidedly more shocks than the average; April, July, and August
have decidedly fewer than the average.
If the various shocks in San Francisco are in general due to
one and the same cause, and if a general uniformity of action
can be predicated of this cause (as yet unknown) then we may
say that the probability of a shock in October or November is
very considerably greater than that for a shock in July or August.
A comparison of the monthly totals for San Francisco and for
California (excluding San Francisco) seems to indicate that the
causes of the San Francisco earthquakes are local and not gen-
eral in their nature. The records from which this table has been
derived are so full that considerable weight must be allowed to
the conclusions drawn from it.
LIST OF RE COR DEB EARTHQUAKES.
15
Table (C.) of the Number of Earthquakes which are Recorded in each
Month of the Years 1850-1887, in San Jos^ and Santa Clara.
\
Teab.
1
1?
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
>
1
1
1
1
1
t
1
1
s
9
>
s
s
CD
QD
1
►1
1
1
1
1
1
§
1
1
1
1
1
1
D
CD
•
1850..
3
2
1
4
3
4
3
5
4
9
1
4
1
1
1
3
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
L
1
5
1851..
10
1852. _
« » » *
I
1853..
2
6
1854..
8
1855..
3
1856 --
.....
1
10
1857..
1
1
1
1
....
17
1858..
2
7
1859..
1
2
8
I860..
9
1861..
4
1862..
9.
9,
1863..
1
1
8
1864 -.
1
1
1
1
16
1865.-
4
23
1866..
1
1
9
1867..
2
1868..
1
1
14
1869..
1
1
1
1
1
1
10
1870..
•
8
1871..
2
1872..
1
5
1873..
1
1
1
1
1
4
1874..
6
1875..
1
1
1
8
1876..
1
2
1877..
2
1878..
1
4
1879..
,
1
1880..
1
1
1
4
1881..
5
1882 .
1
-
9
1883..
6
1884..
1
5
1885 .
1
1
5
1886..
7
2
i
4
8
5
Suras.
61
5
3
2
1
4
4
9
254
.\
^
The data for San Jose and Santa Clara are far less full than for
San Francisco. Probably an equal number of shocks has occurred
at each place, but the records of San Francisco (which are well
kept) show about four times as many shocks as are shown by the
San Jose records (which have not been carefully kept).
The distribution of shocks in the various months is as follows,
for:
16 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
January 2
M^u^Jnh**^^ Ills, near the Vernal Equinox.
Apru ::::•: ::;3 ] ^^^^^y season.)
QC
00
J *J^" j^ It, near the Summer Solstice.
5-iJuly 4j (Dry Season.)
4p!emW;:.1ll7, near the Autumns Equinox.
October 9j ^^""^ Season.)
DSbe'r":::5V5'"eartheW^^^^^^^^
Uanuary 2j ^^^^"y Season.)
Rainy season, 30; dry season, 24. Like San Francisco, and
unlike California at large, there seem to be more shocks in the
rainy season.
The average number of shocks per month is A\ divided by 37.
February, October, and November have decidedly more shocks
than the average; January, May, and June have decidedly fewer
than the average. July and August have (unlike San Francisco)
the average number of shocks. If the data are sufficient to draw
any conclusion from, which very probably they are not, this would
show that the shocks at San Jose are local, and that they are, in
general, not dependent upon the same cause as those of San Fran-
cisco.
Similar tables can be formed for the places where the cata-
logue shows shocks to be relatively frequent, as Humboldt, Los
Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Sacramento,
etc., and, so far as the data are sufficient, the same result will be
found, namely, that the light earthquakes common in California
are usually rather local than general and widespread phenomena.
A curious example of this is the exemption of Santa Barbara from
shocks in the years 1860-1872. Before 1860 and after 1872 Santa
Barbara was subject to shocks, precisely as other places in the
same region, while between these years no shock is recorded.
The immediate and practical conclusion to be drawn from these
tables is that in any future study of California earthquakes we
ought to select special regions for examination, as the Valleys of
Santa Clara, Napa, San Joaquin, Salinas, Amador, Clear Lake,
Pitt River, etc., rather than to attempt a wider range. It may
thus be possible to fix the origin of the local shocks, and finally
to be reasonably certain of its permanency. It also appears to
me that the data seem to indicate that the greater number of
California earthquakes have been the result of faulting in the
underlying strata rather than due to volcanic causes directly.
.i
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 17
From the report of United States Surveyor-General Harden-
BURG, for the year ending June 30, 1871, the following is extracted:
*'The shocks of 1800, 1808, and 1812 appear to have been about equal in force
to the shock of 1868 (and it seems there have been no shocks during a century
of greater severity).
" It is fair then to consider the shock of 1868 as a standard of the maximum
force of earthquakes occurring in California during the last one hundred years.
On the hj'^pothesis that earthquakes are the results of natural laws, which
operate with some degree of regularitj^ it may be fairly presumed that a period
of one hundred years would, in all probability, give the extreme limit of the result
of the action of these laws. Hence, having learned from reliable history and
from observation the maximum strength of earthquakes occurring in California
during a century past, we may, from these data, with some degree of confidence
predict what their maximum strength will probably be during the hundred
years to come. It will perhaps be no difficult matter to provide against any
serious damage from these unwelcome visitors, by so constructing buildings
that they shall be proof against any such shock of earthquake as has occurred
in. California during the last hundred years. Reasoning from the foregoing
historical facts, I am firmly of the opinion that the earthquakes of California
are nojb so much to be dreaded as is generally supposed; in fact, that they are
far less dangerous to life and property than are the hurricanes of the South, or
the summer tornadoes of the North."
The earthquake of 1872, which occurred subsequent to the
writing of this report, was far more severe than the shock of 1868,
and should be taken to represent the maximum severity of any
shock which has actually occurred in (California during a century.
The destructive earthquakes in California during the years 1769
to 1887 have been those of:
1800. October 11-31 (San Juan Bautista. etc).
1812. October or December (San Juan Capistrano).
1818. ? (Santa Clara).
1836. June 9 and 10 (Monterey and northward).
1839. ? (Redwood City and San Francisco).
1857. January 9 (Ft. Tejon, Tulare, etc.).
1866. October 8 (San Francisco, etc.).
1867. January 8 (Klamath, etc.).
1868. October 21 (San Francisco, etc.).
1872. March 26 (Inyo County).
Say, eleven destructive shocks in one hundred and eighteen
years, or one every eleven years on the average, taking the whole
State together.
Extremely severe shocks have occurred :
1806. March 24 (Santa Barbara).
1812. December 21 (San Buenaventura).
1843. June 23 (California and Mexico).
1851. May 15 (San Francisco, etc.).
2
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1852. November 9 (San Diego, Yuma, etc.).
1853. February 1 (San Luis Obispo County).
1853. October 23 ( Eureka).
1855. January 24 (Sierra County).
1865. July 10 (Los Angeles County).
1856. January 2 (San Francisco).
1866. January 10 (Los Angeles County).
1856. February 15 (San Francisco).
1866. In the fall (Tulare County).
1866. December (San Diego County).
1858. November 26 (San Jos6).
1861. July 3 (Amador).
1864. March 5 (Petaluma).
1865. May 24 (San Francisco).
1866. February 17 (Klamath).
1868. September 26 ( U kiah ).
1869. October 8 (Ukiah).
1869. December 26 (Sacramento, Marysville).
1873. November 22 (Oregon and Washington Territory).
1885. January 30 (Honey Lake Valley).
That is twenty-four exceptionally heavy shocks (exclusive of
what I have called destructive shocks) have occurred since 1800,
say, or one every four years on the average, taking the whole State
together. For any particular locality the number of really heavy
shocks is quite small. Thus, at San Francisco there have been
three destructive shocks and four exceptionally heavy earth-
quakes in one hundred years, while there have been very many
slight shocks and tremors.
If we confine our attention to any other particular part of the
State, the number of really heavy shocks occurring there is very
few indeed.
When we take into account the whole damage to life and
property produced by all the California earthquakes, it is clear
that the earthquakes of a whole century in California have been
less destructive than the tornadoes or the floods of a single year
in less favored regions.
EDWARD S. HOLDEN.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS
IN
CALIFORNIA, LOWER CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND
WASHINGTON TERRITORY (1769 TO 1887).
1769. AprUll;
San Diego, Cal. H. H. B.
1769. JiQy 28;
Four violent shocks in the Los Angeles region. Many more shocks were
felt during the following week. H. H. B.
1770.
At San Gabriel; which was called El Valle de los Temblores by Father Jum-
PERo Sebeo in a manuscript of 1778. B. Ms.
17907
The Indians state that about eighty years before the shocks of 1872, March
26, in Inyo County, a similar earthquake occurred in the same region.
B. Ms. Alta, April 6, 1872.
1800. October 11 to October 31;
There were shocks from the eleventh to the thirty-first of October, sometime.s
six in a day, the most severe on the eighteentn, at San Juan Bautista.
H. H. B. Shocks October 11, another October 18, " at supper time," and
another at about 11 p. m. of the same day. J. B. T., Register.
1800. November 22;
A shock in Southern California. H. H. B.
1803. AprU;
San Gabriel, Cal. T. H. H.
1803. May 25;
An earthquake damaged the Mission Church at San Diego slightly. H.
XI. B.
1806. March 24; midnight.
The church walls at Santa Barbara were cracked. B. Ms. T. H. H. men-
tions a shock in March, with no date.
1808. From June 21 to July 17;
There were twenty-one shocks at the Presidio of San Francisco. Tbask,
Register, p. 7. H. H. B.and T. H. H. say eighteen. Adobe walls were seri-
ously damaged. B. Ms. The first translator of Argiiello's communica-
tion to the G-overnor raised the number eighteen to twenty-one, and all the
rest have repeated the error. H. H. B.
1812. May;
Southern California was subject to nearly continuous shocks for four and
one half months. Four days seldom elapsed without at least one shock.
The inhabitants abandoned their houses and lived out of doors. Trask,
Register, p. 7.
20 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1812. September, October, or December 7 Sunday?
Fatal earthquake. At San Juan Capistrano the church was destroyed, with
loss of life (thirty to forty-five persons). The Mission Church at Santa
Inez, near Santa Barbara, one hundred and seventy miles from San Juan
Capistrano, was completely destroyed and some lives lost. J. B. T., Reg-
ister. A Spanish ship at anchor, thirty-eight miles from Santa Barbara, was
injured by the shock. J. B. T., Regijder. The year 1812 was ever after
known as el ano de los Umhlores. H. H. B. See letter of Lieut. E. 0. C.
Ord, U. 8. A. (November, 1849), in Tyson's Report, Geology of California,
p. 125, where, however, it is called the shock of 1814. October 8, between 7
and 8 a. m., is the day of the great earthquake which destroyed the church
of San Juan Capistrano, according to a careful article in the* San Francisco
5w/fettn, March 5, 1864. This date is often fixed in September or on Decem-
ber 8. The Sundays were: September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 31, 18, 25;
November 1, 8, 15, ^, 29; December 6, 13, 20, 27.
1812. Octobers;
Shocks for forty days at San Juan Capistrano. B. Ms.
1812. October 21;
Specially hard shock at San Juan Capistrano. B. Ms.
1812. December 8;
From San Diego to Purisima ; most severe at San Juan Capistrano. It is not
clear that it was felt at either San Diego or at San Luis Rey. At San
Gabriel the church was badly cracked and lost the top of the tower.
xl. xl. B.
1812. December 21;
At San Fernando the church received serious damages. At San Buenaven-
tura, three heavy shocks before January 1. At Santa Barbara, a long series
of shocks, beginning on the 21st and lasting several months. H. H. B.
Santa Inez; two shocks, fifteen minutes apart, beginning at 10 a.m. At
Purisima, at 10:30 a. m., December 21, the earth shook for four minutes so
violently that it was diflBcuit to stand. Half an hour later another more
violent shock. A succession of light shocks this day and the next. H.
H. B.
P. Gil reported that there was a huge earthquake wave at sea. A stick with
a pendant ball was set up at the Mission (Santa Barbara), and the ball
vibrated continually for ei^ht days, and later, at intervals for fifteen days.
A ship at Refugio was carried up a cafion by the wave and returned to sea.
H. H. B.
Several asphaltum springs formed in the mountains and tulares; gaps in
the Sierra ; the " shore volcano" has more openings, and another is reported
behind the Sierra de los Pinos. H. H. B. [? ? ]
1812.
San Francisco. Sefiora Juana Briones relates that, in 1812 the earthquakes
•were so severe as to cause tidal waves which covered the ground where the
plaza now is. (Communicated by J. R. Jarboe, Esq.)
1813 or 1816;
John Gilroy savs an earthquake shook down all the buildings "in the
region" (probably Santa Clara Valley) in one of these years. B. Ms.
1815. January 18;
Five shocks at Santa Barbara. H. H. B.
1815. January 30;
More shocks at Santa Barbara. H. H. B.
1815. July 8, 9;
Six shocks at Santa Barbara. H. H. B.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 21
1818.
The church of Santa Clara was damaged. T. H. H. "I think there is
no authority for such a statement." H. H. B.. vol. 14, p. 377. A new
Mission church had been contemplated in 1818. It is said that the old
church was so badly injured by an earthquake in 1822 that it was best to
take it down; and that a new church (now standing) was built in 1826-6.
"For various reasons (which are given) I suppose nothing of the kind to
have occurred. As a mere conjecture, it may be that after the church was
completed, or nearlv so, in 1818 it was damaged by an earthquake, and not
fully repaired until *i822." H. H. B., vol. 14, p. 602.
1821. January 1;
A severe shock at San Buenaventura and San Luis Rey, Cal. H. H. B.
1824.
There are newspaper accounts of earthquakes in 1824. H. H. B.
1829. September ;
Several very severe shocks of earthquake were experienced in San Fran-
cisco, Cal. Annals of San Francisco.
1830.
The Church of San Luis Obispo was injured. T. H. H.
1836. April 26; 6 a. m.
Monterey, Cal. H. H. B.
1836. June 9 and 10;
Severe shocks from Monterey northward. H. H. B.
1836.
An earthquake comparable with the shock of 1868, October 21, was felt in the
same region of country; great fissures were made in the earth, and the
shocks continued for a month. B. Ms.
1838. June and July;
Shocks at San Francisco, San Jos6, Santa Clara, and Monterey, Cal. H.
H. B. Very severe in the harbor of San Francisco. Verbal account of
Don J 08^ Thompson.
1839. ?; shortly after 12 m.
Where Redwood City now is. Destructive. Adobe walls seven feet thick
were cracked from top to bottom. The earth was cracked in many places,
and one immense fissure extended from Lone Mountain ( ?) to the Mission
San Jos6.-^ — B. Ms. San Francisco Caltj December 21, 1879.
1839. ?;
A very severe earthquake in San Francisco, Cal. Annals of San Francisco.
1840. January 16-18;
An earthquake and tidal wave at Santa Cruz. The church tower over-
thrown. H. H. B.
1841. May 12; 9 p.m.
A very short, slight shock at Monterey, Cal. Duflot de Mofbas, Explora-
tion de VOrkgon. R. M.
1841. July 3; 2h. 7m. p. m.
A shock at Monterev, Cal. Felt at sea. Duflot de Mofras, Exploration
de rOrigon. R. M.
1841.
Violent eruptions of Mt. Raynier, Oregon. Perrey. [ ? ]
22 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1841. BTunmer;
Monterey^ Cal. " The shocks of one hundred and twenty earthquakes were
felt during two successive months of * * * summer. The average, how-
ever, of two earthquakes a day is not so frightful as it looks, the shocks
heing seldom severe and often so slight as to escape the notice of the unin-
itiated stranger." Simpson's Journey Round the Worlds vol. I, p. 344.
1842. September 28;
Eruption of Mt St. Helens, Oregon. Perrky. [ ? ]
1842. November 23;
Eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Perrey. (1843?) [?]
1842.
Eruption of Mt. Baker, W. T. Perrey. [?.]
1843. June 23; 3:30 p. m.
Very severe earthquake in California, which extended to Mexico. Perrey.
1843. November 23;
Eruption of Mt. Raynier. Perrey. (See 1842, November 23, and 1841.) [?]
1843.
Eruption of Mt. Baker, Oregon. Perrey. [?]
1846-62; exact date not given.
In Oregon City, on Rock Creek, near Portland, Oregon, explosions like
those of a cannon were heard for nearly the whole of a day. At first these
were about half an hour apart ; then they came nearer together, until at
last they were no further apart than one minute or so ; finally they died
away. The water in Rock Creek did not run for three days. Verbal
account of Geo. J. AiiJswoRTH, Esq.
1848. January 4;
Slight shock at Los Angeles. B. Ms.
1849. September 16; evening.
At Santa Isabel, between San Diego and the mouth of the Rio Gila. Perrey.
1849. September 22; 3 p. m.
Twelve miles from Curisco Creek, in the desert between Santa Isabel and the
Gila. Perrey.
1860-1804.
**A Recent Volcano in Plumas County, Cal.," by Dr. H. W. Harkness. Dr.
Harkness describes his visit to a spot near the borders of Lassen and
Plumas Counties, directly across the northern end of Snag Lake (Lake
Anna), twelve miles east of Lassen's Butte, and gives his own observations,
showing a recent eruption, together with the evidence of other persons, all
going to prove an active eruption about 1851. Proc. Gal. Ac-ad. Sci., vol.
6, pp. 408-412.
1860. January 16; llh; 2h. a. m. ? p. m.?
San Francisco, three shocks. ^Perrey.
1850. February 16;
Several shocks, San Francisco, Cal. Perrey.
1860. March 21;
A light shock in San Jos6, Cal. J. B. T. Perrey.
1860. May 13;
San Francisco and San Jos6 ; also slight eruption of Mauna Loa. J. B. T.
Perrey says : " In March and then May 12 and 13, six shocks in San J os6
and San Francisco during eruption of IVlauna Loa."
1860. June 28;
A light shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Perrey.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 23
1860. Augnst 4;
Stockton and Sacramento, smart shock. J. B. T. Pxbkey.
1850. August 15;
San Diego, Cal., and on the Gila. Perbky.
1850. September 14;
Smart shock in San Francisco and San Jos4. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1851. USarcli;
Several shocks in this month in California. Pebbey.
1861. April;
Shocks in California daring April. Pebbey.
1851. May 13;
San Francisco and Salinas. Pebbey.
1851. May 15; 8:10 a. m.
San Francisco. T. T. J. B. T. 8:20 a. m. Pebbey. Coincident with
an eruption of Mauna Loa. Severe shock, lasting about half a minute, felt
by shipping in the harbor. Bottles were thrown from shelves to the floor.
B. Ms. Pebbey says three shocks, in Mim. Cour., vol. 8, p. 28.
1851. * May 17;
A slight shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1851. May 28;
A slight shock on the Salinas, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1851. June 13;
Smart shock in San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, and San Fernando, Cal.
J. B. T. Pebbey.
1851. NoYember 12; 7 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. Pebbey. Severe. B. Ms.
1851. Noyember 13; 7 p. m.
San Francisco; motion of the waters in the bay. Pebbey.
1851. November 15; 2 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. Pebbey.
1851. Noyember 15; 10 p. m.
San Francisco. Pebbey. Also, T. T.
1851. November 26;
Coast of California from +37° to +40° latitude, eleven shocks. Pebbey.
1851. December 2;
A shock at Downieville, Sierra County, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1851. December 26; 7 and 8:10 p. m.
Two light vibrations in San Francisco. T. T. "One shock in the morning,
one at 20 minutes before 10 at night, and one at 35 minutes past 11."-^ — B.
Ms. Three shocks: "The first quite severe, at about 3 o'clock (a. m. ?);
next about 10 (p. m. ?); last about noon." B. Ms. Alta, December 26,
1851. During the past two years the direction of the shocks has been inva-
riably from north to south. B. Ms. Alta, December 28, 1851.
1851. December 30; 3 a. m.
San Francisco. Pebbey.
1851. December 31; 3 a. m.; 9:35 a. m.; 11:40 a. m.
Three shocks at San Francisco. Pebbey. (See December 26.)
1851. December 31;
Smart shock at Downieville, Sierra County, Cal. J. B. T.
24 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
1862. AprU 12; midnight.
San Diego, Cal. Pebbey.
1862. OctolMr 26;
Eleven shocks at San Simeon ; an equal number at Los Angeles and San Ga-
briel. Felt also at San Luis Obispo, San Diego, and Colorado River. During-
the next six days all the southern part of California shaken at short inter-
vals. Pebbey.
1862. Noyember 9;
Violent shock at Fort Yuma. The shocks continued almost daily for many
months. The first shock threw down a portion of Chimney Peak and opened
fissures and cracks in the clay desert bordering the Colorado. A small mud
volcano was found in an active state about forty miles southwest of the
post. Report of Exp. for Pacific Railroad. Vol. V., p. 115. /Sec Hittell's
Resources, p. 44.
1862. November 20;
In Southern California, beginning of a series of thirty-two shocks. Pebbey.
862. November 22; 11 p. m.
Severe shock eight miles southeast of San Francisco. Next morning a fis-
sure half a mile wide and three hundred yards long was discovered through
which the waters of Lake Merced were flowing to the sea. B. Ms.
Alta^ November 27, 1852; also November 28.
1862. November 23; a little before midnight.
Shock in California, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Pebbey.
1862. November 24;
San Francisco, Cal. Pebbey [says the waters of Lake Merced disappeared.
(See November 22.)
1862. November 26;
Eleven strong shocks at San Simeon, Los Angeles, and San Gabriel, Cal.
J. B. T. Pebbey says November 20 was the beginning of a series of thirty-
two shocks in Southern California.
1862. November 27-30;
Continued shocks disturbing an area of over three hundred miles square,
extending east from San Luis Obispo to the Colorado River, and north to
San Diego. J. B. T. The shocks opened fissures at least thirty miles
long in Lockwood Valley. Verbal account of J. De B. Shobb, Esq.
1862. November 29; about noon.
San Diego. Shock lasted about two minutes. *' The earth seemed to vibrate
to and fro some five or six inches." This shock was followed by lighter
ones about sunrise, for several days. B. Ms.
1862. November 29; 12:20 p. m.
Fort Yuma and San Diego. Pebbey.
1862. December 6; about 11 p. m.
Fort Yuma. Pebbey.
1862. December 17;
Two smart shocks at San Luis Obispo, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1862. December;
During the month of December the southern and middle portions of Cali-
fornia were muck disturbed, and the effects were felt as far north as the
thirty-seventh parallel. The shocks continued into the month of January,
and were noticed until the fifth of this month on the San Joaquin. J. B.
T. Pebbey.
1862. December 26;
Los Angeles, Cal. Pebbey.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 25
1852.
Fort Yuma. Eruption of a mud- volcano in the Colorado Desert. Peebey,
Miw,, Cour. 13, p. 19.
1863. January 1;
San Gabriel. B. Ms.
1853. January 2;
Moderate shock in San Francisco, Bodega, and Shasta City, Cal. J. B. T.
Perbby.
1853. January 6;
San Joaquin ; Corte Madera. J. B. T. Pebrey.
1853. January 10;
At Captain Dana's rancho, San Luis Obispo County, Cal. B. Ms.
Alta, February 24, 1853.
1853. January 29;
Santa Barbara, CaU Pebbey.
1853. January;
Shocks at San Luis Obispo, Cal. ; also at Mariposa and San Francisco.
Pebbey.
1853. February 1; 1 p. m.
Violent shocks at San Simeon, San Luis Obispo County. Houses were in-
jured. B. Ms. Alta, February 24, 1853.
1853. February 14;
San Luis Obispo. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1853. March 1;
Smart shock at San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. J. B.
T. Pebbey.
1853. AprU24;
Light shock at Humboldt Bay, CaU J. B. T. Pebbey.
1853. April 25; 26 ?
Three light shocks at Weaverville, Trinity County, Cal. J. B. T.
April 26 Pebbey. April 26 B. Ms.
1853. June 2; at night.
San Francisco, Cal. B. Ms. Pebbey.
1853. June 2;
Two smart shocks in the plains of the San Joaquin. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1853. July 12;
A light shock in Yreka, Siskiyou County, Cal, J. B. T. Pebbey.
1853. July 12;
Saint Joaquin, Cal. Pebbey.
1853. September 2? or 3?;
Four shocks in Salinas and San Joaquin Plains. J. B. T. September 2?
Pebbey. September 2? B. Ms.
1853. October 2;
St. Joaquin, Cal. Pebbey, [Possibly this refers to September 2 q. v. E.
S. H.J
1853. October 23;
Three heavy shocks at Humboldt Bay, Cal. J. B. T. At Eureka it is said
the houses rolled like ships at sea and the wharf sank 4 feet. B. Ms.
Also at Acapulco, Mexico, and Peru. Pebbey.
26 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1863. October 26;
A light shock at Humboldt Bay, Cal. J. B. T. Perbey.
1863. November 16;
A light shock at San Jos6, Cal. J. B. T. Pebrey.
1863. November 18;
Slight shock at San Jos6. B. Ms.
1863. November 20; 11 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. More than thirty shocks since January 1. Pebbey.
1863. November 21;
A shock at San Francisco, Cal. .T. B. T. Pebbey.
1863. November 23;
Shasta, Cal. Pebbey.
1863. November 26;
San Francisco. ^Pebbey.
1863. December 11;
San Francisco and Mission Dolores. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1863. December 23;
A light shock at Shasta City, Cal. J. B. T. Perbey.
1863. December;
Many shocks in Fort Yuma region: geysers formed. B. Ms. Also
Second Annual Report of State Mineralogist of Caiifomiaj 1880-2, p. 233. ^
1863;
Pebbey refers to eruptions of Hood, St. Helens, MtJBaker, etc. Am. J. Sc.
2d series, v. 20, p. 297, September, 1855.
1864. January 3;
Two smart shocks at Mariposa and Shasta, Cal. J. B. T.
1864. January 9; 3:30 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Pebbey.
1864. February 6; 6:60 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. B. Ms.
1864. March 2;
A light shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Perbey.
1864. March, about the 16th ;
San Francisco. Pebrey.
1864. March 16; night.
San Francisco, Cal. Perrey.
1864. March 20;
Stockton, Cal. J. B. T. Perrey.
1864. March;
St. Helens, Oregon, in eruption. Perrey. [ ?]
1864. February-April;
Mountain of St. Helens, Oregon, was in eruption about February- April. —
Perrey. [ ?]
1864. April 10;
Two shocks at San Francisco, Cal., 10:30 a. m., and 10:45 a. m., the second the
severest. B. Ms. Altttf April 11, 1854. More violent at Point Lobos.
Perrey.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
27
1854. April 10;
Mt. St. Helens still in eruption. PEBRsy. \T\
1854. AprU 14; 10-11 a. m.
Two shocks, San Francisco, Cal. Pebbey.
1854. AprU^O;
Santa Barbara, Cal. Pebbey.
1864. AprU 29;
A light shock at Santa Barbara, Cal. J. B. T.—
PXBBST.
1854. May 3; Sli. 10m.
Three severe shocks at Santa Barbara, Cal. J. B. T.
1854. May 13;
Santa Barbara, Cal. Pebbey.
1854. May 23;
A shock at Crescent City, Humboldt County, Cal. J. B. T. And San Fran-
cisco, Cal. Pebbey. llh. 20m. p. m. Pebbey.
1854. May 29;
Santa Barbara, Cal.-
-Pebbey.
1854* May 31; 4:50 a. m. i
Three shocks at Santa Barbara. Cal.-
-J. B. T. Pebbey,
1854. June 26;
Two light shocks in Placer County, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1854. July 10;
Shock at Georgetown, El Dorado County, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1854. July 14;
Shock at Georgetown, El Dorado County, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbly.
1854. August;
Smoke on Mt. Hood. Pebbey, ' • -
1854. September 14;
A light shock at Nevada (Cal.?) J. B. T.-
- Pebbey.
1854. October 2;
Humboldt. Cal.-
■Pebbey.
1854. October 21;
A light shock at Monterey, Cal.-
-J. B. T. Pebbey.
1854. October 21; 7:30 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. T. T. 7:35 p. m.-
■Pebbey. " The severest since 1851,''
-B. Ms., San Francisco Daily Herald^ October 22, 1854.
1854. October 26;
Smart shocks at San Francisco and Benicia, Cal., followed by a sea wave,—
J. B. T. Pebbey.
1854. November 1 ?;
Angel Island. B. Ms., Alta^ November 1, 1854; Nevada Journal^ Novem-
ber 10. A calm sea and no wind at first ; then water rose several feet with
high waves, lasting half an hour.
1854. November 11; 4Jh. p. m.
San Francisco. Pebbey.
28 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1864. IXecember 23;
Violent shock occurred in Japan. In the harbor of Simoda the water was
agitated so that its depth varied between 8 and 40 feet. The waves were
transmitted across the Pacific and registered on the tide gauges of the
United States Coast Survey at San Francisco, Astoria, and San Diego. The
velocity of the sea wave was : Simoda to San Francisco, 368 miles per hour,
6.966 miles per minute; Simoda to San Diego, 355 miles per hour. A. D.
Bache, in Amer. Jour. Sci. Perrey.
1800. January 2; Just before 10 a. m.
Two slight vibrations five seconds apart. San Francisco, Cal. B. Ms.
San Frandsco Golden Era, January 6, 1856.
1805. January 13; 181i. 30m.
Smart shock at San Benito and San Miguel, Cal. It was also felt at San Luis
Obispo. J. B. T.
1800. January 14; 10 p. m.
Along ninety-four miles of the coast of California. Perrey. '
1800. January 24; 221i.
A heavy shock, lasting seven seconds, was felt at Downieville, Sierra County,
Cal. This shock was quite severe at Gibson ville on the north, at Forest
City and Minnesota, in Sierra County; and at Orleans Flat and Eureka.
Humboldt County; in Nevada County; at Georgetown and Nashville in El
Dorado County on the south; and at Keystone Kanch, in Yuba County, on
the west. J. B. T!
1800. February 0; 10 a. m.
A light shock at Wolf Creek, and the northeast part of Nevada County, Cal.
J. B. T.
1800. April 7; 6 p. m.
A light shock at Gibb's Ferry, Trinity County, and as far north as Callahan's
Ranch, at the head of Scott's Valley, Siskiyou County. J. B. T.
1800. June 9; a. m.
Fort Yuma ; slight shock. Report of explorations for railroad near the Std
parallel. Appendix I, p. 9, vol. VII.
1800. June 20; 141i.
Smart shock at Santa Barbara and north to the Valley of Santa Maria.
J. B. T.
1800. July 10; 91i. 30m.
A light shock at Georgetown, El Dorado County, Cal. J. B. T.
1800. July 10; 20li. 10m.
Severe shock at Los Angeles. Four shocks were felt in about twelve seconds;
two unusually heavy sea waves rolled in at Point San Juan, just after the last
shock. J. B. T. This shock was accompanied by rain. B. Ms, Bells
at San Gabriel Mission Church thrown down. B. Ms.
1800. July 13;
Slight shock at Gibsonville, Sierra County, Cal. 5. F. Daily Herald, July 23.
1855.
1800. August 12; 9:30 a. m.
A light shock at Georgetown, Cal.; four light shocks at Georgetown from
July 10 to August 12, dates not recorded. J. B. T.
1800. August 26; 1 p. m.
Sonoma County ; Petaluma. B. Ms. Sacramento C/nton, September 8, 1855.
1800. August 27; 3 p. m.
Violent shock, Sonoma County, Cal. Sa^cramento Union, September 8, 1856.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 29
1865. Angnst 28;
San Francisco, Cal. B. Ms.
1866. October 6; 7|li. p. m.
San Francisco. Pebrey.
1856. October 21; 19b. 45m.
Smart shock in San Francisco. Much commotion in the water of the bay a
few minutes preceding the shock. J. B. T.
1866. October 27; 3 p. m.
A light shock in the Valley of Clear Lake ; a light shock at Downieville, Sierra
County ; more severe shock at Goodyear's Bar. J. B. T.
1856. December 6; 11:20 a. m.
A shock at Humboldt Bay, Cal. J. B. T.
1855. December 11; 4b.
San Francisco ; quite severe at Mission Dolores J. B. T.
1855. December 21; lib. 20m. a. m.
Humboldt Bay, Cal. Perrey.
1856. January 2; lOh. 15m.
Smart shock at San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Light shock at 10 a. m.
T. T. "Severe." B. Ms. San Francisco Daily Herald, January 3, 1866.
Goods were shaken from the shelves. B. Ms. 9 a. m., and 10 a. m.
Perrey.
1856. January 10; 5 a. m.
Slight shock; and another at about 8 a. m., [at San Francisco ?] This was
verj'^ severe at Los Angeles, and throughout the southern part of the State.
B. Ms.
1866. January 21; 16b.
Smart shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1866. January 23; 4 p. m.
Mission [Dolores?] Cal. Perrey.
1856. January 28; 3b.
Smart shock at Petaluma, Sonoma County, Cal. J. B. T. Perrey.
1856. January 29; Oh. 46m.
Slight shock at San Francisco, Mission Dolores. J. B. T. Perrey.
1866. January 31; 4 p. m.
[San Francisco?] Perrey.
1866. February 16; 5b. 26m. a. m., In S. F.
In San Francisco, severe shock of eight seconds; a previous shock at 2:08
A. M. Heavy shock at Monterey, Cal., 5:20 a. m. Shock at Bodega, Cal.
Twenty-two vessels off the coast, from San Pedro to southern Oregon, felt
no shock. Shock at Santa Rosa, and no further N.; light shock at Stock-
ton, and no further E. ; shocks at San Jos6. Tr^rk, Register, p. 15.
Perrey. Two shocks in San Francisco, one at 2:15 a. m.; one at 5:23 a. m.,
lasting twelve seconds. Not felt at Sacramento; slight at Stockton; severe
at San Jos6 ; hardest at Oakland. B. Ms. Severe at S. F., 5:35 a. m.
T. T. The water in the Bay of S. F. rose, maintained its level for five
minutes, and then sank two feet below its ordinary stage. B. Ms.
1866. March 16;
San Francisco. Perrey.
1856. March 24; 22h. 20m.
A slight shock was felt at Canal Gulch, Siskiyou County ; also at Yreka.
J . B. T. Perrey.
■i *
■*
30 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
18S6. March 30; 8:30 p. m.
S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, April 2, 1856. Perbey.
1866. March 31; 12:30 a. m.
S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Saaamento Union, April 2, 1856.
1866. March 31; 1:30 a. m.
S. F., Cal. S. F. Daily Herald, April 1, 1856.
1866. April 6; 23h. 30iii.
Smart shock at Los Angeles, The Monte, Cal. J. B. T. Perbey.
1866. AprU 14;
Los Angeles, Cal. Pebbey.
1866. May 2; Oh. lOm.
Severe shock at Los Angeles. J. B. T.
1866. May 9; night.
Los Angeles. B. Ms.
1866. May 10; 21h. lOm.
Light shock at San Francisco. J. B. T.; and Monterey. Perbey.
1866. August 2; 6h. 20m.
A light shock in San Francisco, Cal.; more severe at Stockton. J. B. T.
-Pebbey.
1886. August 27; 21h. 16m.
Moderate shock, twice repeated, from the west, at Mission San .Tuan, Monte-
rey, Santa Cruz. J. B. T. Another strong shock [where?] in the night
of August 29. Pebbey.
1866. Septemher 6; 3h.
Smart shock at Santa Cruz, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1866. September 20; 23h. 30m.
Very severe shock in San Diego County, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1866. September 22; evening.
San Diego, Cal. ; light shock. Pebbey.
1866. . September 26; 11:30 p. m.
San Diego County. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, October 18, 1856.
1866. September 28;
Slight shocks in parts of Southern California. B. Ms.
1866. September 29;
Slight shocks in parts of Southern California. B. Ms.
1866. October 1;
Slight shocks in parts of Southern California. B. Ms.
1866. October 18; ** morning."
Slight shock at S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, October 22, 1856.
1866. November 12; 4h.
Smart shock, Humboldt Bay, Cal. Another shock was reported, but no date
given. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1866. December 26;
Port Townsend, Washington. Pebbey.
1866. December ?; about 10 p. m.
Foot of Clear Lake, Lake County, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, September
3, 1859. This shock was not felt at Big Vallev, thirteen miles away.
B. Ms.
!•• ? •• • • • •
• • • • •
\
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 31
1856 ? December;
Very severe in San Diego, Cal. Verbal account of Don Josi Thompson.
1856. In the faU.
Tulare County. The line of the shock "was marked by a fracture of the
earth's surface, continuing in one uniform direction for a distance of some
two hundred miles." B. Ms. Babton, History Tulare County^ p. 11.
1857. January 8; 11:20 p. m.; also January 9.
Heavy earthquakes in California. All the houses in Santa Barbara were
damaged. Perbey.
At Ft. Tejon this shock was more severe than the shocks of 1812. B. Ms.
Nevada Journal, May 8,1857. Two persons killed by being buried in the
ruins of a house. B.Ms. Los Angeles ExpresSyDecemher 4,1875? [1857?!
Visalia, Tulare County, it was difficult to stand erect; tree tops waved
several feet to and fro; it was equally severe at places within fifty miles,
north and south.
1867. January 8; 6 a. m., 9 a. m., 10 a. m.
Three shocks at Santa Barbara, and in the afternoon two slight shocks and
one severe one; 8:30 a. m., Loa Angeles; 8:15 a. m., San Francisco; 7 a. m.,
Monterey ; 7:30 a. m., Sacramento. Perbey. San Francisco, 8 a. m. T.
T. At Los Angeles, five or six shocks during the day, and within eight
days about twenty shocks. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, February 5, 1 &7.
1857. January 8 and 9;
California. Dr. Trask shows that the velocity of the earth wave was : San
Francisco-Sacramento; 6.6 miles per minute. San Francisco-Stockton ; 6.5
miles per minute. San Francisco-Tejon ; 6.0 miles per minute. San Fran-
cisco-San Diego; 7.0 miles per minute. Or, on the average, 6.2 miles per
minute, or 545.6 feet per second. Artier. Jour. ScL, vol. 25, p. 146.
1857. January 9; 8:20 a. m.
At Stockton, and Benson's Ferry on the Mokelumne, several shocks on the
night 8-9, the principal one at 8:15 a. m. ; 8:30 a. m., very severe at Sacra-
mento; 7 A. M., at Los Angeles and Monterey. S. F. Bulletin, January 9,
1857. San Jos^, Cal. Sdcramento Union, September 20, 1858.
1857. January 9;
Ft. Tejon, the earth opened in cracks twenty miles long; buildings and chim-
neys were thrown down; beds of streams changed. B. Ms. Los An-
geles C(/unty History, p. 545.
1857. January 9;
Fort Tejon. On ninth January, 1857, an earthquake shook the earth from
Fort I lima to Sacramento. It was most severe at Fort Tejon. A loud
rumbling accompanied the shock at Tejon, San Bernardino, Visalia and
Mojave Valley. The waters of the Mokelumne River were thrown upon
the banks, soas to leave the bed bare in one place. The current of Kern
River was turned up stream, and the water ran four feet deep over the
bank. The water of Tulare Lake was thrown upon its shores; and the Los
Angeles River was flung out of its bed. Some of the artesian wells in
Santa Clara Vallev ceased to run, and in other places the water increased.
Near San Fernando, a large stream of water ran from the mountains, where
there was no water before. In San Diego and San Fernando, several houses
were thrown down ; at San Buenaventura the roof of the Mission Church
fell in. Several new springs were formed near Santa Barbara. In the San
Gabriel Valley the earth opened several miles long ; and in one place the
river left its bed and followed the new opening. A large fissure was made
in the western part of San Bernardino. At Fort Tejon nearly all buildings
were thrown down, large trees overthrown, and the earth opened in a fissure
twenty feet wide and forty miles long; the sides then came together with
such violence that a ridge was formed ten feet wide and several feet high.
At Reed's ranch, near Fort Tejon, a house was thrown down and a woman
in it killed. B. Ms. Hittell's Resources, pp. 42-43.
1857. January 16;
Severe shock at Los Angeles. B. Ms. 5 p. m. Pebbey.
32 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
18S7. January 17; night.
Two shocks ; J anuary 18, 8 a. m.; [at Los Angeles ?] Perbet.
18S7. January 18; 9 a. m.
A light shock at Martinez and Benicia, Cal. J. B. T. Monterey.
Pebrey.
18S7. January 20; 81i. 30m. a. m.
Strong shock at Santa Cruz and Mission San Juan, Cal. J. B. T.
18S7. January 20;
Severe shock, Ft. Tejon. B. Ms. Los Angeles County History ^ p. 645.
1857. January 20; 3:30 p. m.
Mission San Juan. Pebret.
1857. January 21; evening.
Smart shock at Mariposa, Cal. J. B. T. 11 p. m. Pebbet.
1857. February 5; 7 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. T. T. 6:55 p. m. Two shocks at S. F., Oak-
land, and Stockton, Cal. Pebbey.
1857. March 5; about 7 p. m.
Two short shocks in San Francisco, Cal. Pebbey.
1857. March 14; 15h.
Severe shocks at Santa Barbara and Montecito. J. B. T.
1857. March 23; 12:27 a. m.
A light shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1857. April 247;
A shock was recently felt at San Gabriel and San Jos6, Cal. Pebbey.
1857. May 2; morning.
Two shocks at Los Angeles. B. Ms.
1857. May 3; 22h.
Smart shock at Los Angeles and The Monte, Cal. J. B. T. "Violent
shock." Pebbey.
1857. May 23;
Slight shock at Los Angeles. Severe shock at Fort Tejon. J. B. T.
"Four shocks at Los Angeles." B. Ms.
1867. June 14;
Severe shock at Humboldt Bay, Cal. Several severe shocks at the Penal
Island (Carmen), Gulf of Cal.-^ — J. B. T.
1857. July 6; 7h.
Severe shock at San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1857. August 8; llh.
Smart shock at Rabbit Creek, Sierra County, Cal. J. B. T.
1857. August 29;
Severe shock at Tejon Reserve, Cal. J. B. T.
1857. September 2; 19h. 45m.
Slight shock at San Francisco, Sacramento, Marysville, Nevada, San Juan,
Downieville, and Camptonville, Cal. J. B. T.
1857. September 7;
San Francisco. Pebbey.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 33
1857. September 7;
Violent earthquake in California?? quoted from meteor, observations in 71st
report Univ. of N. Y., p. 359, by Febrey, who, however, thinks the date
doubtful.
1857. September 14; 2 p. m.
A slight shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. At 2:15 T. T.
1857. October 19; 18h. 30m.
Severe shock at San Francisco, Cal. J . B. T. 6:15 p. m. T. T.
1857. October 20; 1211. 8m.; 12h. 35m.; I3h. 15m.
Three shocks felt at San Francisco and San Jos6. but not in Oakland ; the last
the most severe. J.B. T. Light shock 1:20 a. m. T. T.
1857. November 2; 6:25 p. m.
S. F., Cal., in the night several light shocks. Pebrey.
1857. November 8; 1:16 a. m. and 3 a. m.
S. F., Cal. Perrey.
1857. November 8; 3:45 a. m.
San Francisco, Oakland, and Bodega, Cal. J. B. T.
1867. November 9; 0:45 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1857. November 9; 2:30 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
18S7. November 15; a little after 6 p. m.
San Jos6. B. Ms.
1857. December 23; 7 a. m.
A light shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1857. December 24; 5:40 a. m.? p. m.?
Four shocks; S. F., Cal. Perrey.
1857. December 30; 5:40 a. m.
S. F., Cal. Perrey.
1857.
■
"Accounts from Fort Teion report frecjuent shocks in that section 'of the
country." Dr. Trask dfoes not mention them in his notes on earthquakes
in California during 1G57. Perrey.
1858. January 1 or 2;
San Francisco. Perrey.
1858. January 13; 9 p. m.
S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1858. February 10;
Smart shock at Kanaka Flat, Sierra County, Cal.- — J. B. T.
1858. February 15; 41i. 20m.
A light shock in San Francisco, and also in San Mateo County, Cal. J. B.
T. Perrey.
1858. August 18; 10:45 p. m.
Two shocks, first light, second heavy enough to waken sleepers, Sonoma
County. B. Ms. 10:55 p. m. S. F. Directory. Sacramento Union,
August 23. 1858. 10:55 and 10:58 p. m., S. F., Cal. T. T. " No shock so
severe as tnis in S. F. since February 15, 1856." B. Ms.
1858. August 19; 22b. 10m.
A light shock in San Francisco. J. B. T.
34 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1808. September 2 ;
Smart shock at Santa Barbara, Cal. J. B. T.
1858. September 3; Oh. 40m.
Strong shock at San Jos^ and Santa Cruz, Cal. J. B. T. Perrey.
1808. September 12; 191i. 40m.
Smart shock at San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Lasting 15 seconds. Per-
rey.
1808. September 26; lb. 26m.
A light shock in San Francisco. J. B. T. Perrey.
1808. September 7 ;
San Jos^ and elsewhere. In San Jos6 more violent than the shock of Janu-
ary 9, 1857. B. Ms. /Sacramento Union, September 20, 1858.
1808. November 26; 12:30 a. m.
San Francisco. "A violent earthquake was experienced in the city this morn-
ing at twenty-five minutes before one o'clock. It consisted of two shocks,
separated by an interval of a few seconds, and lasting altogether about half
a minute. It is considered to have been nearly as violent as the great
shock of February, 1856, and to have lasted much longer. A great deal of
alarm was occasioned in some of the larger structures of the city, particu-
larly in the Montgomery block, and in the Rassette House, and other exten-
sive hotels. A number of buildings were vacated temporarily. At Musical
Hall, where the Independent National Guard were having a ball, the shock
was not noticed on the dancing floor, though the building was very much
shaken. In the Merchants' Exchange building, opposite the Custom House,
some large cracks were made, and a portion of tne cornice in the U. S. Dis-
trict Court-room was shaken down. At the City Hall some small pieces of
plastering were shaken off, but no serious injury was done ; nor, indeed,
nave we heard of any damage in the city. At the Union Hotel, adjoining
the City Hall, the window-bhnds were observed to flap violently against the
windows, and it was thought by persons in Merchant Street that the build-
ing would fall, so violently was it rocked. In many portions of the city
bells were rung, and crockery rattled." B. Ms. 5. F. Bulletin, Novem-
ber 26, 1858.
1808. November 26;
San Jos6. " The earthquake was more severely felt at San Jos6 than any that
has before occurred there. Every family had dishes, glassware, or clocks
broken by falling off the shelves or tables. Almost every grocery store
had bottles, etc., thrown off* the shelves and broken. Every brick, adobe,
or concrete building was cracked or injured in some way, or had the
plastering broken off. Some plastering was broken off the City Hall. The
Jail and Sheriff's oflBce, a two-story brick building, was damaged consider-
ably by the cracking and falling of the plastering. The new Baptist church
had the front walls cracked in several places. A new brick building, only
one story high, eighteen by twenty feet in size, and verv firmly built,
was cracked through the center, and had the plastering shaken off. Mr.
Minor's concrete building had two corners and a part of the cornice shaken
off", damaging it to the extent of about five hundred dollars. Our inform-
ant says: "Mr. J. Lewis' large clock was stopped at just eighteen minutes
and twenty-two seconds before one o'clock, which must have been the
exact time of the commencement of the trembling. He looked at his
watch at the conclusion of the shock, when it was just eighteen minutes
to one — which would make the duration of the earthquake lust twenty-two
seconds, if the watch and clock kept the same time. The undulations
were from the north to the south, accompanied by a rumbling noise."
B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, November 27, 1858.
1808. November 26; 0:30 a. m.
Two shocks, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Oh. 24m. a heavy shock at San
Francisco and Oakland. J. B. T. Nearly every brick building in S.m
Jos4 was injured. The shock at San Jos6 was twenty-two seconds long, and
begun at Oh. 42m. B. Ms. Perrey. This shock was not felt at Stockton,
Sacramento, nor Marysville. J. B. T.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 35
1858. December 6; 2 p. m.
Mariposa, Cal. Perrey.
1859. January 25; 20h. 20m.
Severe shock in Trinity and Shasta Counties; at Weaverville, Shasta, and
Horsetown. J. B. T.
1859. March 21; 5li. 20m. a. m.
San Diego, Cal. Perrey.
1859. March 25;
Fourteen shocks, one very severe, at San Felipe, Santa Clara County, Cal.
B. Ms.
1859. March;
Dr. MoGENCRAFT reports an eruption in northern part of Shasta County.
Perrey. [ ?]
1859. AprU 4; 13h.
Severe shock at San Jos6, Cal. J. B. T.
1859. April 27; 7:30 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal., two shocks. Perrey.
1859. August 8;
San Jos6. Sacrainienio Union, August 15, 1859.
1859. August 10; about 9:30 p. m.
Heavy shock at San Jos6 ; after several minutes another slighter. B. Ms,
Sacramento Union, August 15, 1859.
1859. August 10; 22h. 35 m.
Smart shock in S. F. J. B. T. S. F. D.
1859. August 15; August 17.
Eruption of Mt. Hood, Oregon. Perrey. [ ?]
1859. August 29; 10:30 p. m.
Three distinct shocks in Mariposa County, Cal. B. Ms. Alta, September
10, 1859.
1859. August;
Big Valley, Lake County, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin^ September 3, 1859.
The shocks were not felt a few miles oflF. (See 1856, Decemoer.)
1859. September 9; 9:30 a. m.
Two distinct shocks. Petaluma, Cal. B. Ms. Sacrainento Union, Sep-
tember 15, 1859. Slight shock S. F., Cal. B. Ms.
1859. September 22; a. m.
Severe shock, S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1859. September 24; 3 a. m.
Slight shock at Half Moon Bay. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, September
28, 1859. Waters of the bay receded fifteen feet and returned suddenly.
1859. September 24; 5:45 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1859. September 26; 6h. 10m.
Smart shock in'San Francisco, Cal. .T. B. T.
1859. October 5; 0:16 p. m.
Severe shock at San Francisco, Cal. T. T. 13h. 8m.; strong shock, S. F.,
Cal. J. B. T. Perrey. The severest since 1856, February 15.
1859. October 18; 6 a. m. (See September 24.)
S. F. ; at Half Moon Bay the water left the bay for several seconds. Perrey.
36 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES
1859. NoYember 19; 3 a. m.
Slight shock, S. F., Oal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, November 22, 1859.
1859. November 22;
Mt. Baker in full activity. Pkbbey. [?]
1859. November 25;
San Francisco, Cal. Pebrey.
1859. November 27; evening.
Two shocks, San Francisco, Cal. Pebrey.
1869. November 27; 19h. 15m.
A light shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1859. December 1; Oh. 50m.
Smart shock in San Francisco, Cal. Felt at Oakland and Benicia. J. B. T.
Pebbey.
1859. December 1; 14h. 10m.
Several successive shocks were felt at San Bernardino ; several of them were
quite heavy. J. B. T. 2:10 p. m. Perrey.
1859. December 6; evening.
Slight shock at S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1859. December 11; 9 a. m.
Smart shock at San Jos6. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, December 12, 1859.
1859. December 24; 0:54 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1859. December;
Eruption of Mt. Baker. Perrey. [?]
1860. January 1; 8:43 p. m.
Light shock at S. F., Cal. Perrey.
1860. January 26-27; night.
Los Angeles, Cal. Perrey.
1860. February 9; a few minutes before 1 o'clock.
S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, February 10, 1860.
1860. March 15; llh.
Violent shock at Sacramento. The wave passed through the counties of
Placer, Nevada, El Dorado, and Plumas. The earthquake extended to the
eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. At Carson City it occurred at lOh.
45m. and was very violent. J. B. T. .
1860. March 26;
Los Angeles and Southern California, severe. B. Ms.
1860. March 27;
Severe shock in Los Angeles and vicinity. J. B. T.
1860. April 2; 8 p. m.
Two severe shocks at San Juan, Monterey County, Cal. B. Ms. Sacra-
mento Union, April 7, 1800.
1860. April 5; 1 a. m.
Several shocks in S. F., Cal. — —Perrey.
1860. April 16; 7:30 p. m.
San Francisco, Fort Tejon, Santa Barbara. B. Ms. Sacramento Union,
May 1, 1860.
7 p. M. Severe shocks at S. F., Cal. Perrey. April 17? About this time
shocks during several hours at Washoe, Nev. Perrey.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 37
I860. AprU19;
Several shocks, S. F., Cal. Perrey.
1860. AprU26.
Eruption of Mt. Baker Perrey. [ ?]
1860. May 7;
Port Townsend, W. T. Perrey.
1860. May 25; about 6 a. m.
Two shocks at S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Sa/Gramtnto Union, May 28, 1860.
1860. June 1; evening.
Mariposa. B. Ms. Sacramento Union^ June 9, 1860.
1860. September 23; 10 a. m.
S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, September 26, 1860.
1860. September 23; about 9 p. m.
Severe shock at Martinez. B. Ms. Alta, October 1, 1860.
1860. September 30; 10 a. m.
S. F., Cal. Perrey.
1860. November 12;
Smart shock at Humboldt Bay, Cal. J. B. T. Felt in various parts of the
country, also. B. Ms. Alta, November 24, 1860.
1860. November 24; 1:30 a. m.
S. F., Cal. Perrey.
1860. December 21; Ob. 30m.
Repeated slight vibrations, extending over a period of half an hour, nptice-
aole only by the vibrations of the mercury in the barometer. S. F. Cal.
J. B. T. The next day a violent earthquake at Santiago de Chili.
Milne's Earthquakes, p. 331. Probably no connection between these events.
1861. January 12; about 1 a. m.
Two severe shocks in Trinity County, Cal. B. Ms. Sa>cramento Union,
January 29, 1861.
1861. January 27; 8 a. m.
Butte County, Cal. B. Ms. Sacrammito Union, February 4 and February
12, 1861. (Supposed to be an explosion of gunpowder, or of a meteor, or
the rumbling of an avalanche. Heard also in Sierra County.)
1861. February 2; 1:30 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. Perrey.
1861. March 23; ? a. m.
Quite severe at S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, March 25, 1861.
1861. March 7
Tejon, Cal. B. Ms.
1861. April 29; 4:10 a. m. ? p. m. 7
Slight shock at S. F., Cal.- B. Ms. Sacramento Union, May 2, 1861.
1861. April 29; 9:26 p. m.
Smart shock at Mendocino, Cal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, May 11, 1861.
1861. May 4; p.m.
Slight shock in the neighborhood of San Francisco. During this week the
tides were unusually low. Perrey.
1861. June 13; 6:26 a. m.
Slight shock at S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, June 15, 1861.
38 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
1861. July 2;
Alameda, Cal. B. Ms. Scuiramento Union^ July 8, 1861.
1861. July 3; 4:11 p. m.
Severe shock, followed by two light shocks, at San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
For several days light snocks were felt in and near S. F. J. B. T. .
A light shock in San Francisco, but very heavy, indeed, at Doherty's Ranch,
in Amador Valley, near where Livermore now is. Verbal account of R. C.
Hopkins. Adobe houses seriously injured; men in the fields were thrown
down. Hittell's Resources^ p. 43. Stockton, also. B. Ms.
1861. July 3; 8 a. m.; July 4 and 5, at night; July 7, at night.
Slight shocks in Alameda, Cal. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, July 15, 1861.
1861. July 4 ? ; 16h. 11m.
Severe shock of earthquake occurred at San Francisco. It consisted of three
distinct waves, following each other in very rapid succession. More severe
in the San Ramon Valley, east of the city. It opened a large fissure in the
earth, and a new spring of water. For several days after there were light
shocks. J. B. T. Fereey.
1861. September 16; 2 a. m.
Violent earthquake at Sierra Valley, Nevada County, Cal. B. Ms. Sac-
ramento Union, September 30, 1861.
1861. October 26? November 26?;
Humboldt, Cal. B. Ms. /S. F, Bulletin, December 2, 1861, gives the date as
October 26; Sacramento Uriion gives November 26. The same shock is
referred to by both papers.
1861. December 9;
Sta. Catalina Island. B. Ms.
1862. January 21; about 6 a. m.
Stockton. B. Ms. Sacramento Union, January 25, 1862.
1862. March;
Tejon.Cal. B. Ms.
1862. May 27;
Severe shock in Southern California, San Diego, Temecula, and Anaheim.
B. Ms.
1862. May 27 to June 5;
Shocks nearly every day. B. Ms. [In Southern California ? ? E. S. H.]
1862. June 7;
Los Angeles. B. Ms.
1862. June 13;
San Diego, Cal. B. Ms.
1862. June 14;
San Diego, Cal. B. Ms.
1862. July 2; about 5 p. m.
A severe shock at La Porte, Sierra County, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin,
July 11, 1862.
1862. September 28; 7-8 a. m.
In the Echo du Pacifique of October 1, two shocks are reported. Peerey.
1862. September 29; 16h. 6m.
A very smart shock at San Francisco. Felt also at Petaluma. J. B. T.
1862. October 21;
Violent shock at San Diego, Cal. Seven shocks since May 28. B. Ms.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 39
1862. DecemlMr SOT STT; about 6 a. m.
S. F. and Oakland, CaL Pebbet.
1862. December 23; 201i. 19m.
Smart shock in San Francisco. Cal. ^J. B. T. 5:30 a. m. ^T. T. Thun-
der at 2 A. M. B. Ms.
1862. December 29;
Slight shock at San Francisco. S. F. D.
1863. January 17; about midnlgbt.
S. F., Gal. Pebbet.
1863. January 25; 21i. 20m. p.m.
A severe shock at San Diego, Cal. J. B. T. B.Ms. Alia^ February 11,
1863. ' . .
1863. January 26; 61i. 20m.
Severe shock in San Diego, Cal. J. B. T.
1863. February 1; 16h. Im.
A verv smart shock at the Mission San Juan, Monterey County. At Gilrovs,
twelve miles east of the Mission, the shock was fifteen minutes later. The
shock was not felt at Monterey, twelve miles west of the Mission. J. B. T.
1863. February 6; 4 p. m.
New Gilroy, twelve miles northwest of San Juan, at 4:15 p. m.; San Juan,
Monterey County, 4 p. m. B. Ms. AiUi^ February 11, 18(>3.
1883. March 18; about 2 a. m.
A severe shock in San Francisco, Cal. S. F. D.
1863. June ?
A smart shock at San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1863. About June 27; 1:11 p. m.
San Diego. B. Ms. Alia, July 7, 1863.
1863. July 16; 6:30-8:30 ?
Two strong shocks at San Jos6, Cal. Perrey.
1863. July 16; lOh. 19m.
Smart shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1863. July 16;
San Jos6 ; Santa Clara. B. Ms.
1863. July 24; about 10 a. m. '
A severe shock at S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1863. July 31; about 10 a. m.
Strong shqck at S. F., Cal. Perrey.
1863. August 1; lOh. 48m. p. m., and lib. 6m. p. m.
Two shocks at Saa Francisco. J. B. T.
1863. August 2; 11:16 p. m.
Three severe shocks at S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1863. October 18;
Yuba City, Sutter County, Cal. B.Ms. S. F. Bulletin, October 22, 1863.
1833. December 19; 121i. 38m.
A very smart shock, followed by one still more severe, in San Francisco.
J. B. T.
40 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1863. December 19; 2:38 p. m.
Severe shock at S. F., Cal., followed a few seconds later by one more severe.
Probably the severest shock since 1865. B. Mp.
1868. December 19; 8:46 p. m.
Very severe shock at San Jos6 and Santa Clara. B. Ms. Allay Decem-
ber 2U. 1863.
1863. December 23; 2:40 p. m.
Strong shock, 5-6s., in S. F., and San Jos4, Cal. Perrey.
1863. December 30; about 3 a. m.
Strong shock in S. F., Cal. Perrey. Several shocks. S. F. D.
1864. February 26; Oh. 40m., and 21i. 10m., 6h. 47m.
Shocks is San Francisco, Visalia, San Jos6, and Santa Clara. J. B. T.-
Severe at Santa Cruz. B. Ms. Severe in S. F. B. Ms. Perrey.
1864. March 6; 8b. 49m.
A shock of considerable violence at San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz,
Stockton, Petaluma, Santa Clara, and San Jos€. At the last named place
the shock was most violent, and lasted about two minutes. Very severe at
Visalia. J. B. T. Light shock at S. F., 8:50 a. m. T. T.
1864. 8:30 a. m.
Tuolumne, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, March 10, 1864.
1864. March 10; 14h. 8m.
A light shock at San Francisco. J. B. T. 16h. 30m., a second shock.
J. B. T.
1864. March 11; 9:16 a. m.
Slight shock at S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1864. March 20; 23h. 46m.
A light shock in San Francisco. J . B. T.
1864. March 22; 13h.
Smart shock at Stockton, Cal. J. B. T. S. F., Santa Clara. Perrey.
1864. May 20; 18h. Im. [6h. Im. ?]
Slight shock at San Francisco, Cal.; 18h. 10m. severe shock at Stockton; 18h.
57m. severe shock at Napa; 18h. very severe at Sacramento. J. B. T.
1864. May 20; 6:66 p. m.
Light shock at San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Five or six shocks were re-
ported about 6 p. M., very severe. Mining and Scientific Press. S. F. D.
1864. June 6; llh. 7m.
A light shock in San Francisco. 'J. B. T.
1864. June 22; 20h. 63m.
Smart shock at San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Perrey.
1864. July 6; 20h. 3m.
Moderate shock at San Francisco, Cal.; four vibrations. J. B. T.
1864. July 18; 8h. 20m. p. m.
Near Los Angeles, Cal. Perrey.
1864. July 21; 2h. 7m.
Smart shock in San Francisco. J. B. T. Several shocks July 21. S.
F. D.
1864. July 21; 22h. 40m. 388.
A very smart shock in San Francisco, San Jos6, and Stockton ; twelve min-
utes later in Los Angeles, but not very heavy. J. B. T. Not felt at
Sacramento. Perrey.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 41
1864. July 25; 28h. 56m.
Los Angeles, Cal. J. B. T.
1864. August 1.
San Francisco, San Jos€, Sacramento, Stockton, and Los Angeles. — — Pereey.
1864. August 15; 91i. 53m. p. m.
Fort Miller, Fresno County, Cal. ; strong shocks. Pebbey.
1864. August 17; 221i. 39m.
A light shock at Nevada, Cal., and vicinity. J. B. T. Perbey.
1864. August 18; 6h. 18m.
Very strong. Grass Valley, Cal., and Nevada. J. B. T. Marysville,
Yuba. Pebrey.
1864. September 6; lOh. 3m.
San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1864. September 20; llh.Om.
San Jos6 and S. F.. Cal. J. B. T. 10:45 A. m. S. F. D.
1864. September 27; lOb. 32m.
Strong shock. Mission San Juan, Monterey County, Cal. J. B. T.; also at
Watson ville. Pebbey.
1864. September 29; 11:20 a. m., 7 p. m. 7
San Francisco. Pebbey.
1864. September 30; 10:30 a. m.
San Francisco. Pebbey.
1864. October 6; 21h. 9m.
Smart shock at San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1864. October 14; lb. 8m.
Two heavy shocks at Mission San Juan. J. B. T.
1864. October 14; 10b. 26m.
Heavy shock at Mission San Juan. J. B. T.
1864. October 18; at nlgbt.
San Juan; two shocks. Pebbey.
1864. October 21; 3b. a. m.
Strong shock at San Juan. Pebbey.
1864. October 27; about 10 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. (Several light shocks.) Pebbey.
1864. October 29; night.
Victoria (Vancouver). Severest shock on record, lasting fifteen seconds.
Felt also at New Westminster. Pebbey.
1864. December 11; 20b. 62m. [8b. 52m. ?]
At San Francisco and San Jos^ ; at the last place one minute later and more
severe. J. B. T. 9 p. m. S. F. D.
1864. December 18;
Strong shock at Watson ville, Santa Cruz County, Cal. Pebbey.
1866. January 2;
Ukiah, Mendocino County, Cal. B. Ms.
1865. January 9; 7b.
Smart shock in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Cal. J. B. T. Fuchs.
Pebbey.
42 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
1865. January 19; 8h. 8m.
A light shock in San Francisco. :J. B. T.
1865. February 4; 11 p. m.
Strong shock in 8. F., Cal. Fuchs.
1866. February 7; to end of 1866.
It is the opinion of Fuchs (p. 10) that a period of earthquakes in San Fran-
cisco, began on February 7, and lasted during the whole of the year 1866,
and even into 1867. The greatest shock was 1865, October 8.
1866. February 7; 11 p. m.
San Francisco. Pebbey.
1866. February 8; 2 p. m.
Strong shock in S. F.; another at 6| p. m. Fuchs.
1866. March 6; night.
Petaluma; the heaviest ever felt up to this time. B. Ms.
1865. March 6; 8h. 45m.
A light shock at Visalia, Cal. J. B. T.
1866. March 7; 11^ p. m.
Heavy shock in Napa City, followed one hour later by a lighter one.
Fuchs. Smart shock at San Francisco at23h. [Uh.?] J. B. T.
1866. March 8; 6 a. m.
Heavy shock at Napa City, and half an hour later another shock. In Santa
Rosa, six shocks. Fuchs. Smart shock in S. F., 6h. 20m. J. B. T.
1866. March 19;
San Francisco. Pebbey.
1866. March 24; 7:30 a. m.
Rather severe shock in S. F., Cal. Fuchs.
1865. March 30; 7h. 28m.
Very smart shock at San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Pebbey.
1866. April 15; Oh. 40m.
Severe shock at San Diego, Cal.^ — J. B. T.
1865. AprU 18; 13h. 31m.
Light shock at San Francisco, Angel Islatid, and Oakland. Severe at San
J uan. J. B. T.
1866. April 26; 3:66 p. m.
<4uite a severe shock in S. F. Mining and Scientific Pi-ess. Heavy shocks in
many places in California, all from E. to W. Fuchs. Pebbey. Two
shocks S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1866. AprU 27; 16h. 56m.
Shock at San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1866. May 24; 3h. 21m.
Smart shock at San Francisco, San Juan, and Santa Cruz. At the first place,
a single movement; at the second, two waves. J. B. T. sPerbey.
Fuchs. Light shock at 3:30 a. m. T. T. Remarkably heavy in Southern
California. B. Ms.
1866. June 12; ?
Several shocks at Victoria, Vancouver Island. Fuchs.
1866. June 14; 12 m.
Slight shock at S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1866. August 25; 9 p. m.
Heavy shock at Vancouver Island, lasting two minutes; later two more
shocks. Fuchs.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 43
1865. August 29; 6 a. m.
Shock in S. F., Cal., from southeast to northwest. Fuchs. Pebrby.
1866. September 21;
Eruption of Mt. Hood. (Doubtful.) Perbby.
186 6 . September 22 ;
Smart shock at Yreka, Cal. J. B. T.
1865. September 23;
Mt. Hood in eruption from September 23 to October 8, certainly. B. M8.[?j
1865. October 1; 7 a. m.
Heavy shock at Eureka, Cal. Fuchs. Which destroyed all the brick
houses. Perrey.
1865. October 1; 9h. 15m.
Very smart shock at Fort Humboldt, Cal. J. B. T.
1865. October 3;
Heavy shock at Eureka, Humboldt County, Cal. — ^B. Ms.
1865. October 5; 7
Shock in S. F., Cal. Fuchs. Perrey.
1865. October 8; 12h. 46m.
Very severe shock at San Francisco, San Jos6, Stockton, Santa Cruz, Sacra-
mento, etc. Most severe shock since the annexation of the territory, and
it was followed by a condition of continuous vibration, which lasted for
about ten hours.— ^J. B. T. T. T. Yolo County. B. Ms.
1865. October 8; 221i. Im.
Light shock at San Francisco, San Jos6, Stockton, Santa ("ruz, Sacramento,
etc. J. B. T. Another at 23h. 50m. J. B. T.
1865. October 8;
San Francisco. The first shock was felt at sixteen minutes before one o'clock,
and lasted perhaps five seconds. It was almost instantly followed by a
heavier shock, which continued for ten seconds or more. The vibrations
appeared to be east and west, or northeast and southwest. There was
nothing in the weather or in the condition of the atmosphere during the
previous week to foretell the earthquake. On October 8, in the evening,
there were two or three slight additional shocks. The chief damages to
buildings were to Popper's Duilding, Third and Mission Streets, the City
Hall, the old Merchants' Exchange, corner Battery and Washiiigton Streets.
The latter building was completely ruined. The California Engine Com-
Sany's House, Market and San some Streets, was severely injured and ren-
ered unfit for occupancy. The chimney in the rear of the Lick House
was shaken down. Stoadard's warehouse on Beale Street is said to have
been thrown out of place several inches. On Third Street, from Market to
Howard, the window glass was broken in many places. On Washington
Street, also, the glass appears to have suffered from Dupoht Street down to
Montgomery. On the marshy lands in the vicinity of Howard and Seventh
Streets, lamp posts, water pipes, and gas pipes, were broken and thrown
out of position. The ground on Howard Street, from Seventh north to
Ninth, cracked open, leaving a fissure nearly an inch wide. Not one fatal
accident has yet been heard of. The effect oi the earthquake on the waters
of Mission ;6ay and on Long Bridge was frightful. The shock was felt
severely at San Jos6. About ten feet of the wall of the jail was thrown
down, and a portion of the wall of the Methodist church. The bell of the
convent was tolled. At Santa Clara nearly all of the brick buildings in
town were more or less injured. On the Santa Cruz Gap road chimneys
were thrown down and the roads more or less obstructea by stones rolled
down from the mountains. At Stockton the shock was very severe. At
Visalia and Los Angeles the earthquake was not felt at all. B. Ms. 5. F.
Bulletin, October 9, 1866.
1866, October 8. The shock at Sacramento did no damage, although it was
severe enough to cause many persons to feel nausea. B. Ms. 5. F. Bul-
letin, October 11, 1866.
44 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1865, October 8. This shock was not felt in the slightest degree at Santa Bar-
bara—at least, not in the vicinity of the town. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin,
October 17, 1865.
1865, October 8. At New Almaden a large brick storehouse on the hill 'wixs
nearly demolished. Several houses in the village were thrown down. The
earth opened and closed again, throwing up great clouds of dust. T^vo
miles out of San Jos^, on the road to New Almaden, the new brick
building of Mr. John W. Winters was materially damaged. A number of
chimneys in different parts of the county were thrown down. B. Ms.
San JosS Patriot, October 11 ; quoted in S. F. Bulletin, October 12, 1865.
1865, October 8. " The streams at McCartvsville and Los Gatos have risen
greatly since the earthquake, tapping the sources of the artesian wells in
the Santa Clara Valley, many of which have ceased to run since the earth-
quake." B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, October 31, 1865.
1865, October 8. At Mountain Charley's, on the Santa Cruz road, the earth
opened in several places, and steam and water were thrown up through the
cracks. At McCartysville or Saratoga the creek began to rise four hours
after the great shock, and increased to about treble the usual quantity of
water the creek discharges during the dry season. B. Ms. S. F, Bul-
letin, October 21, 1865.
1865. October 8;
At Fort Humboldt, on Sunday morning, October 8, 1865, at fifteen minutes
past nine o'clock, there was a very severe earthquake. Fifteen chimneys
will have to be completely rebuilt. S. F. Bulletin, October 12, 1865.
1865. October 8;
Goose Lake, Siskiyou County, Cal. Waterspouts observed all over Goose
Lake. B. Ms. Yreka Union, October 28, 1865.
1865. October 8:
Accounts given in Bancroft's Ms., as follows: San Francisco Bulletin, Octo-
ber 9, 12, 1865. San Francisco Call, October 10. Gold Hill News, October 12.
Sacramento Union, October 10. Hittell's History of San Francisco, p. 354.
Shocks felt at Petaluma, but no damage done. Petaluma Journal and Argus,
October 12. San Francisco News Letter, October 14. S. F. Golden Era, Octo-
ber 15. (Two articles), S. F. Californian, October 14. (In the Interior), S.
F. Alta, October 10, 11, 14, 16, and 17. S. F. Alta, October 9 and 10.
1865. October 8;
From RowLANDSON, the following is extracted : The shock was certainly felt
one hundred miles north of S. F., and one hundred miles east. There is no
report of any shock south of Monterey Bay. It is a singular fact that the
shock was most severe at Santa Cruz and along the lower part of the Pajaro
River. The center of disturbance was probabij'^ at the mouth of this river.
Mt. Hood was in eruption, and Goose Lake was covered with waterspouts,
and RowLANDSON connects these with the S. F. disturbance. There was
no shock felt at any distance from the, coast, but boats a few miles from
shore felt the shock.
1865. October 9; lOh. 34in.
Light shock in San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1865. October 9; lib. 32m.
Light shock at San Francisco. After this shock the earth continued to
vibrate for forty-eight hours. J. B. T.
1865. October 12; 12:45 a. m.
S. F., and Santa Clara, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, October 13, 1865.
Constant tremors in San Francisco. Fuchs. This Santa Clara shock is
stated to have been as heavy as the one felt between 10 and 11 o'clock,
October 8. See also Perrey.
1865. October 13; 2h. 5m.
Smart shock at San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Clara, and Angel Island, Cal.
J. B. T.
1865. October 14, 15, 16; night and day.
Monterey — many shocks. B. Ms.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 45
1866. October 14; 231i. 46m.
San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T.
1866. October 16; Sh. 40in.
San Francisco, Cal. J. B. T. Santa Cruz ; Santa Clara. B. Ms. Pkr-
REY.
1866. October 20; 7:66 p. m.
S. F., CaL FucHS. Pkrrey.
1866. October 27; 1 a. m.
Napa City, Cal. FucHs.
1866. NoYember 24; 3:46 a. m.
Shocks in S. F. and in Santa Cruz County, Cal. Fuchs. Smart shock at
Watsonville, Santa Cruz County. J. 6. T.
1866. November 26; 7
At sea, between 8. F. and Portland, an earthquake. Mining atid Scientific
Press.
1866. December 7; lb. 16m.
Light shock in San Francisco. J. B. T.
1866. December 16; 9 p. m.
Heavy shock at Dry Creek, Mendocino County, Cal.; nine shocks, three being
quite heavy. Mining and Scientific Pi-ess.
1866. January 26; 10:32 a. m.
Slight shock in S. F., Cal. At lOh. 10m., heavy shock in Sonoma. Fuchs.
Another smart shock in S. F. at 10:40, Perrey.
1866. February 16; 8:46 a. m.
Slight shock in San Jos6, Cal., followed at 9:10 by a shock covering a greater
area. Fuchs. At 8:57 a. m., two shocks at S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Two
shocks at Santa Clara. Perrey.
1866. February 17;
"The Klamath River, fifteen miles above the Jacksonville road, was suddenly
raised, exposing its bed, while a hill on its bank sunk away to a level plain ;
on one side of the hill, where it separated from the mainland, it left an
abrupt bluff. The river channel was immediately changed, the water run-
ning around where the hill had been standing. Bob Whittle, and others,
witnessed the phenomenon, and gathered large quantities of fish, that were
left in the old oed, when the water drained off." B. Ms. Quincy Union,
March 10, 1866. Yreka Joui-nal.
1866. February 18; 4:06 p. m.
S. F., Cal. Fuchs. Perrey.
1866. March 26; 12:30 p. m.
Earthquake from east to west, in S. F., Stockton, Sacramento, San Jose, etc.
Fuchs. Two shocks. S. F. D.
1866. March 26;
Quite a severe shock at Monterey. B. Ms.
1866. March 26; 12:12 p. m. (noon).
Two slight shocks at S. F. B. Ms.
1866. March 27;
Monterey. B. Ms.
1866. March?;
Monterey, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Golden Era, March 25, 1866.
46 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1866. April to November ;
San .Tos6, Cal. An earthquake register, invented by W. F. Stewart, has
noted nine distinct shocKs in the past seven months. All the shocks were
northeast and southwest. 8an Josi Mercury^ November 8, 1866.
1866. May 24; 9:05 a. m.
Sacramento. B. Ms.
1866. May 27;
Pacheco, Contra Costa County, Cal. B. Ms.
1866. May 30; 3:40 a. m.
Heavy shock in S.F.,Cal. Fuchs. Also in Oakland. B. Ms. PmtSEY.
1866. June 6; 6:04 a. m.
Rather heavy shock at S. F., Cal. P^uchs. Perbey. Seven shocks.
B. Ms. About 4 A. M. S. F. D.
1866. June;
Monterey, Cal. B. Ms. 8. F. Golden Era, July 1, 1866.
1866. June;
? . B. Ms. Gold Hill News, June 2, 1866.
1866. July 13; 11 p. m.
8. F., and interior towns. S. F. D. [Probably same? as July 14. E. S. H.]
1866. July 14; 10:30 p. m.
Heavy shock in La Porte, Rowland Flat, St. Louis, and Port Wine, Sierra
County, Cal. Fuchs. Also Sacramento and Contra Costa County.
B. Ms. Also in S. F. B. Ms. Heavy in Sacramento; light in S. F. and
Stockton. Perrey.
1866. August 19; 12:40 a. m.
Shock in Oakland and San Francisco. Mining and Scientific Press.
1866. August 23; 4 p. m.
S. F., Cal. B. Ms.
1866. During the summer;
A severe sudden shock at Sulphur Bank, Clear Lake, Cal. Verbal account
of R. S. Floyd, Esq.
1866. September 6; morning.
La Porte, Rowland Flat, St. Louis, and Port Wine, Sierra County, Cal.
B. Ms. Perrey says 5 a. m.
1866. September 6;
Two shocks at S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1866. November;
San Jos^, Cal. B. Ms. S, F. Golden Era, November 18, 1866.
1866. December 17; night.
Antioch, Contra Costa County, Cal. B. Ms.
1866. December 18.
Pacheco, Contra Costa County, Cal. B. Ms.
1866. December 19; 2:20 a. m.
Subterranean noises, accompanied by shocks, in San Francisco and Sacra-
mento, Cal. Fuchs. Perrey. 3 a. m. S. F. D.
1866. December 20; 4:16 p. m.
Antioch, Contra Costa County, Cal. Also, a shock in the morning. B. Ms.
\
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 47
1666. December ?
A smart shock at the Dalles, Oregon. Mining and Scientific Press. Vol. 14,
p. 46.
1867. January 8; daylight. [?]
Frightful earthquake at Fort Klamath, Oregon ; the Klamath Lake fell six
feet. FucHs. Two shocks, the second frightful. The air grew dark,
ashes fell as thickly as snow in a storm. B. Ms.
Earthquake at Fort Klamath. — The following letter is to the Oregon
Sentinel, from Fort Klamath, dated January 8, 1867: Editor Sentinel: We
have singular, if not serious news, to send by the express just leaving.
This morning at daj'^light we were startled from our sleep by the precipi-
tate shock of an earthquake, immediately followed by a noise as of distant
thunder. But in a little while quiet reigned, and every one was conversing
and laughing heartily at the singular phenomenon; but our countenances
soon underwent a serious change, for it began to grow dark ; the whole
heavens were full of a very black smoke or cloud; the air had a sulphur-
ous smell ; and ashes of a brownish color fell as fast as I ever saw it snow.
We had to use candles in the mess-room. Most of us went in to breakfast,
but had only got fairly into our seats, when, horror upon horror, the earth
seemed rolling like waves upon the ocean ; every one was thrown to the
floor, only, on regaining their feet, to be placed in the same position again,
accompanied with the rattling of dishes, the crashing of window glass,
cracking of timber of buildings, and the screams of the frightened. You
could not imagine a more perfect chaos. Some of us gained the door, and
such a sight met our gaze as was probably never before beheld. The tall
pines around the fort seemed lashing themselves into fury; the wagons in
front of the stable were engaged in a pitched battle: horses and cattle
were lying crouched upon the ground, uttering the most pitiful moans ;
dogs were howling, and the unearthly cries of the Klamath Indians
camped near the fort, completed the scene. The sutler's store was thrown
about ninety feet from its former position. There were no lives lost, nor
any seriousaccidents to any one. There is no very serious damage done
to anjr of the buildings, all being log and frame houses, but 1 do not think
there is a whole pane of glass left at the post. Most of us are of opinion
that a volcano has broken loose near the Klamath marsh, as a continuous
dark column of smoke is seen in that direction. There was about half an
hour between the first and second shocks. The first was just perceptible.
The second lasted, as near as can be judged from various opinions, from
two to three minutes. Further particulars will be given by the next
express. L. Tennyson, Quartermaster's Clerk.
Mr. Whitmore has just arrived from the agency, and reports that the
lake (Klamath) has lowered about six feet, and is still falling. Crooked
Creek, a stream between this place and the agency, is completely dried up.
B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, January 14, 1867.
1867. February 1; ?
Three shocks in San Diego, Cal. Fuchs. Pereey.
1867. April 12; 4:60 p. m.
Two shocks in San Francisco. Fuchs. Perrey says 5:50 p. m.
1867. September 22; 5:36 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. Fuchs.
1867. November 30;
Quincy, Plumas County, Cal. Severe shock. B. Ms.
1867. December 1; 11:12 p. m.
Forest City, Cal. Fuchs. Perrey also. Nevada City, very heavy.
B. Ms.
1868. January 2; 9 p. m.
Lake County. B. Ms. Yolo County Hist., pp. 56-7.
1868. lllarch 24; 11:22 a. m.
Sharp shock, San Francisco, Cal. Mining and Scientific Press. At 11:22
A. M., lasted six to ten seconds. B. Ms.
48 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
1868. March 20;
Alameda County, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, March 26.
1868. Marcli 28; about 11 p. m.
S. F., Cal. 8. F. D.
1868. March 29; about 9 p. m.
8. F., Cal. 8. F. D.
1868. About April 23;
Healdsburg, Cal. S. F. Bulletin, May 7, 1868.
1868. AprU 29; 7:16 a. m.
Three distinct shocks, no damage done, Yreka, Cal. B. Ms. The first
experienced here; it was accompanied by a rumbling noise. S. F. Call,
April 30, 1868.
1868. May 7; 12 a. m.
Severe shock at Healdsburg, Cal. S, F. Bulletin, May 7, 1868.
1868. May 9; 11:30 p. m.
Calistoga, Napa County. B. Ms. Alta, May 11, 1868.
1868. May 18;
Three hundred miles west of San Francisco, in lat. 44° 7^ N., and long. 139° 7',
a submarine earthquake. Pebbey. MSvi. Cour. 22, p. 80.
1868. May 24; 9 p. m.
Two shocks in Sacramento, Cal. Fuchs. Not felt in 8. F. ; violent in the
State of Nevada. Pebbey.
1868. May 26; 10:37 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. Fuchs. Pebbey. Two shocks. B. Ms.
1868. May 27; about 2 a. m.
S. F., Cal., light shock. B. Ms.
1868. May 29; 9 p. m.
Three shocks, Lassen County, Cal.; first at 9 p. m.; two others in the course
of fifteen minutes. B. Ms. S.F. Bulletin, June 12, 18(38. About 9 p. m.,
series of shocks in interior of California and in Nevada : but not at S. F.,
nor north of a line from Sacramento to Ft. Churchill; felt in Sacramento.
B. Ms.
1868. May 30;
Severe earthquake at Mukelto and the Tulalip Reservation, W. T. Bulle-
tin, June 2, 1868.
1868. May;
A severe earthquake (not felt in Northern or Central California) opened a
long fissure in the earth at Dos Palmas, S. P. R. R. H. Ms. Editorial
S. F. Bulletin, March 29, 1872.
1868. June 7
San Diego? Earthquake wave on Pacific Coast. B. Ms. S, F. Bulletin,
June 13, 1868.
1868. June 2; 9:30 a. m.
Very severe, Downieville and Forest City. S. F. Bulletin, June 10, 1868.
1868. July 24;
Slight shock at S. F., Cal. Appleton^a Annual Cyclopxdia, 1868.
1868. July 24; 6:30 p. m.
Severe shock in Tulare County, Cal. S. F. Bulletin, July 25, 1868.
1868. August 2;
hos Angeles (several shocks). B. Ms.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 49
1868. August 9; about 10 p. m.
S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1868. August 13;
The earthquake at Arica, Peru, on this date, produced tidal waves felt all
through the Pacific, and registered at S. F. and San Diego. Velocity of
the sea- wave 369 (or 348) miles per hour. J. E. Hilgabd in Amer. Jour.
Set., vi. p. 77. Tidal wave sixty feet high in Southern California; San
Pedro Bay. R. A. Proctor, in Nature.
1868. August 24;
Santa Cruz, Cal. S. F. Bulletin, September 3, 1868.
I 1368. August 24; 11:30 a. m.
S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1868. August 28; about 1 a. m.
S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1868. August 31;
Severe shock at Santa Cruz, Cal., lasting ten or fifteen seconds. B. Ms.
1868. August-September 28;
It is the opinion of Fuchs (p. 10) that a period of earthquakes in the Sierra
Nevadas began early in August, 1868. On September 4, 6, 6, there was a
) great earthquake with more than five hundred shocks, and the period lasted
' till September 28.
1868. September 3-28;
" Kern River, Inyo County, Cal., September 3, during the night frequent
rumbling noises and tremulous motion of the earth. September 4, 8 a. m.,
severe shock; from 8 to 9 a. m., forty-one distinct shocks. During the
remainder of the day the shocks continued at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes.
Light shocks continued until the morning of the 6th of September, when
the party moved their camp. Up to this time there had been about five
hundred shocks. Ssptember 6-11, one or two shocks every hour. Septem-
ber 17, 18, 19, about one shock every hour. September 20, 21, 22, much more
frequent and severe; then the frequency and violence abated, but con-
tinued at intervals of an hour or so up to the time they left on the 28th of
September." J. E. Clayton, M.E.,in rroceedings of the California Academy
of Sciences, vol. IV, part 1. See also Perrey. Mim. Cour. 23, p. 64.
1868. September 13, 14, 16;
A correspondent of the Sacramento Union, writing from Owens Lake, gives
an interesting account of a succession of earthquakes that took place in
that region, among the mountains, on the 13, 14, 15, of September. The
shocks were severe enough to rattle down rocks from the mountains into
the valleys, and to excite great alarm among the few inhabitants. About
the same time, there was an earthquake in Alpine County, w^hich was quite
severe, showing that the commotion must have extended over hundreds of
miles. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences.
\
1868 . September 3 , etc . ;
Not felt at Independence, Inyo County. B. Ms.
1868. September 4-17;
I Inyo County, Cal., September 4, two shocks ; forty shocks in one hour at
Lone Pine ; September 12, one shock ; September 14, two shocks ; Septeni-
I ber 17, one shock ; September 11-12, three hundred shocks ; sky was very
full of smoke. B. Ms.
1868. September 17;
Two shocks at Nevada City, Cal. B. Ms.
1868. September 19; 9 a. m.
i Two heavy shocks at Alpine, Cal. The air became dark, and mountains one
^ half mife distant could not be seen. At 5 p. m. other shocks. B. Ms.
50 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1868. September 26; 12:40 a. m.
Ukiah, Mendocino County, Cal., severe shock; tumbling furniture about.
B. Ms.
1868. October;
Near head of Kern River. [S. F. Bulletin, October 17, 1868, says: "There is
quite a phenoQienon on the Sierra Nevadas, at the head of Kern River.
The earth has been shaking for more than two weeks — almost a constant
shake. It shakes the rocks down from the mountain, and makes the earth
wave like the sea." * * *]
1868. October 3; 12:40 a. m.
Very severe shock in Ukiah Valley, Cal. B. Ms. Alta, October 7, 1868.
1868. October 6;
Silver Mountain, Cal. Appletori's Annual Cyclopasdia, 1868. Perbky.
1868. October 21;
The great earthquake at San Francisco, Cal. The first shock was at 7h. 53|m.
A. M. Its direction was northerly and southerly. Its duration was forty-
two seconds. The second shock came at 9:23 a. m., lasting five second's.
Lighter and briefer tremors occurred at intervals of about half an hour,
till 12:15 p. M. The first shock was most severely felt on the eastern side
of the city, on the made land, between Montgomery Street and the bay.
On the solid land no serious damage was done to anv well constructed
house. Window panes were broken, chimneys twisted or thrown down,
mantel ornaments overturned, etc. Steei)les swayed to and fro. On
Russian and Telegraph Hills the shock was comparatively light. On the
flat, between Howard Street and the Mission, the shock was most severe.
The Custom House was badly damaged. It was poorly constructed.
Coffee & Risdon's building (corner of Market and Battery Streets) was of
brick, three stories high, and unfinished. The walls of a portion of this
fell, killing a man. The machines in the Union Foundry (First and
Mission Streets) were put out of order. Several buildings in this neigh-
borhood were more or less wrecked. The tall chimney of the San Fran-
cisco Gas Works (Howard and Fremont Streets) was thrown down. The
Mission Woolen Mills were damaged badly. As in 1865, a small crevasse
was opened on Howard Street, beyond Sixth. The Deaf, Dumb, and
Blind Institution was damaged. The greatest damage was done in a belt
several hundred feet wide, running north w^est and southeast, commencing at
the Custom House and ending at the Folsom Street wharf. The tall chimney
of the United States Mint was damaged. The ferry steamer Contra Costa
was near Angel Island, and felt the shock strongly- Shocks were noted at
7:53; 8:10; 8:15; 8:30; 8:45; 9:20; 9:35; 10; 10:30; 11:05 a.m., and at 12:15 and
2:58 P.M. Cliff House, S. F.; an unusual commotion in the sea; and the
waves came fifteen or twenty feet further inland than usual. There were
about thirty casualties in the 150,000 inhabitants. Five deaths occurred
from falling walls, etc Not a single well built house on the solid land
suff'ered materially, whether of brick, stone, or wood. Wooden houses
suffered least. H. Ms. Derived from S. F. daily papers of the few days
immediately following the shock. See Rowlandson, p. 61, et seq. No
register of this shock on the tide-gauges at San Diego and Fort Point.
Oakland. The draw of the railroad bridge was thrown twelve inches out of
line. The water of the bay was smooth and no wave was noticed due to
the shock. Buildings and chimneys fell to the south.
Martinez. The earthquake was heavy at 7:57 a. m. The Court House was
wrecked.
Alameda. Several buildings badly damaged.
San Leandro. Several buildings badly damaged ; one man killed.
Alvarado. Buildings damaged.
San Lorenzo. Several chimneys throw^n down.
Hay wards. Very severe; twenty-two shocks during the morning. Not a
building that was not damaged, and several wrecked.
Amador Valley. The shock was light.
Mare Island ^avy Yard. Chimneys thrown down. The shock threw down
a person w^ho was walking.
Vallejo. Chimneys thrown down.
Redwood City. The brick Court House wrecked.
Marysville. Light shock.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 51
Grass Vallejr. Severe, causing lamps, etc., to vibrate.
Sonora. Slight shock.
San Mateo. Severe, with damage to property.
Placerville. Light shock.
Folsom, Sacramento County. Sharp shock.
At sea. The Pactolus was at anchor, in deep water, fifteen miles west o the
Heads. The shock was severely felt.
San Jos6. Buildings damaged, chimneys thrown down.
Santa Clara. Buildings damaged, chimneys thrown down.
Gilroy. Chimnej'^s thrown down.
Santa Cruz. Brick buildings cracked.
Healdsburg. Severe ; clocks were stopped.
Woodland (Yolo County). Severe.
Centerville. Buildings 'destroyed and others badly damaged.
Mission San Jos^. Buildings destroyed and others badly damaged;
San Juan. Severe shock.
. Sacramento. Severe shock, no damage.
San Rafael. Severe shock, chimneys thrown down.
Petaluma. Buildings damaged, chimneys thrown down.
Santa Rosa. Buildings damaged, chimneys thrown down.
Somerville, Antioch, Clayton. Buildings damaged, chimneys thrown down.
Los Angeles. No shock felt. H. Ms.
1868. October 21; 7:60 a. m.
At 7h. 50m. a. m , after dull rumblings, heavy shocks, lasting 140 seconds,
began; six or seven shocks before 11 a. m.; and at 3 p. m. another, and the
last about midnight. Earthquakes were felt over all California; the
heaviest were the following: Sacramento, 7:59; Oakland, 10:30,11:45; Marys-
ville, 7:55, and 8, and 1:25 a. m. Fuchs.
1868, October 21, San Francisco. The shock was longer and more severe than
that of October 8, 1865. Several persons were killed by falling cornices.
The shock was felt in the interior in every direction, and with severity.
The surface of the earth visibly undulated. Brick buildings were tumbled
down or badly cracked in several places, including Oakland and San Lean-
dro, and several lives were lost. Not a single thoroughly good building,
even in the lower part of the city, was seriously injured. S. F. Bulletin,
October 21, 1868.
1868, October 21, San Jos6. The oscillation was from southeast to northwest,
and lasted one half minute. Considerable damage was done to property.
No lives were lost. Damage to Presbyterian Church amounted to $2,000.
Sa7i JosS Advertiser, October 4, 1868.
1868, October 21. Account of the earthquakes in San Francisco October 8,
1865, and October 21, 1868. San JosS Pioneer, February 9, 1878. This earth-
quake was not felt in San Diego. B. Ms.
1868, October 21. San Leandro. One man was killed attempting to escape
through the falling walls of the Court House, which, with the jail, was laid
in ruins. Several concrete buildings were entirely destroyed, and a great
many frame buildings partially so. After the earthquake was over, only
two chimneys remainea standing. The loss was not much short of $100,000.
Neighboring towns were severely shocked. Haywards was laid in ruins.
But little injury was done at Oakland. It was the most severe shock expe-
rienced on tne coast by white men up to that time. San Leandro Gazette,
October 24, 1868.
1868, October 21. Petaluma. Considerable property destroyed. Vibrations
from east to west. Three distinct shocks following each other in rapid
succession, lasting from ten to fifteen seconds. Light shocks for four hours
afterwards. Petaluma Jouriial and Argus, October 22, 1868.
1868, October 21. Sacramento. Severe earthquake. The water of the river
receded, and in a short time returned in a wave at least two feet in height.
Sacramento Bee, October 21, 1868.
1868, October 21. Santa Cruz Mountains, near Pescadero. Great damage
done to the redwood trees. Limbs fell to the ground, and large pieces of
rock rolled down the mountains. It is said that the waters of Pescadero
Creek became muddy in a moment, and that the surface was covered with
bubbles, which burst with a slight report and a small fiame when a match
was applied to them. Grass Valley Unions October 29, 1868. [??]
1868, October 21. See brief report on the cause and effect, by the committee
of merchants in San Francisco Chamber of Commerce report, 1870. See
also Alta, December 1, 1868.
52 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1868, October 21; about 8 a. m., in San Francisco. Killed five persons by
throwing loose bricks from the tops of buildings upon them, and no per-
son was severely injured in a house. The better class of structures was
not damaged. A dozen brick buildings with weak foundations on made
ground were cracked so as to be untenable. Hittkll ; History of San Fran-
cisco, pp. 370-7.
1868, October 21. Brick and concrete buildings in Pacheco were destroyed.
The shocks were severely felt throughout Contra Costa County, except at
Antioch. There no chimneys were thrown down, nor were any walls
cracked. Pacheco, Contra Costa County, Gazette, October 24, 1868.
1868, October 21. Three heavy and distinct shocks were felt in Nevada City.
The most severe known up to this time. Nevada City Daily Transcript,
October 22.
1868, October 21. The shock was severe, or very severe, at Martinez, Alameda,
Alvarado, San Lorenzo, Hay wards. Mare Island, Vallejo, Redwood, Grass
Valley ("quite a severe shock"), San Mateo, San Jos^, Gilroj', Santa Cruz,
Healasburg, Woodland (Yolo County), Centerville, Stockton, San Rafael,
Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Contra Costa County. H. Ms. Yolo Countv.
B. Ms.
1868, October 21. The shock was light at Marysville, Sonora, and Amador Val-
ley. H. Ms. No shock was felt at Los Angeles, San Diego, etc. H. Ms.
For a complete account of this shock in Alameda County, see Halley,
Centennial Book of Alameda County, pp. 257-269. Articles on this earth-
quake may be found in the following places (from the Bancroft Ms.): S. F.
Times, October 22, 23, 24, 26, 1868. Telegrams from all parts of the State,
in S. F. Call, October 22. S. F. Abend Post, October 22. Further particulars,
loss of life and property, shock in the interior, and estimated damages to
buildings and stock. S. F. Bulletin, October 22 and 23. Alta California,
October 22, 23, and editorial on earthquakes in Alta, October 24. Lloyd's
Lights and Shades, pp. 318 and 324. Earthquake throughout the State;
twelve persons killed. Sacramento Union, October 22. S. F. Bulletin, Octo-
ber 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29. S. F. Spirit of the Times, October 24. San Leandro
and Haywards. Long article in Alta of October 27. S. F. Call, October 23.
Facts about earthquakes; earthquake in the interior. ^Z<a, October 24,
1868. Open crack in Haywards. S. F. Call, October 25. Report of Earth-
quake Commission. Alta, December 1, 1868. S. F. Chronicle, October 21,
22, 23, 24. Petaluma. (Oregon) Deutscher Zeitung, October 24, 1868. S. F.
Monitm; October 24. Cal. Christian Advocate, October 29. S. F. Golden Era,
October 24. S. F. Golden Era, October 31 (two articles). Grass Valley.
Vibrations from southwest to northeast. Giass Valley Union, October 212.
San Leandro Democrat, October 24, 1868. Vallejo Weekly Chronicle, October 31.
Professor Hanks says that a circle with Haywards as a center and 173 miles
as radius will cover every point where the vibration was felt. The area
of such a circle is 94,000 square miles, or about three fifths of the area of
California. H. Ms.
Fruitvale, Alameda County. Professor Bunnell was walking in a field at
the time of the first shock. He heard a loud report, which he referred to
the direction of S. F., and immediately felt the earth tremble so violentlj' as
to make it difficult to stand upright.
Dr. Gibbons kindly communicates the following record of forty-nine shocks
during October and November : October 21; two heavy shocks, twelve light
ones (14) during the day, four during the night. October 22; eight day and
night. October 23 ; four till 9 p. m. October 24 ; three from 6 a. m. to 9 p. M.
October 25 ; three. October 26 ; two, very heavy. October 27 ; one. October
28; two. October 29; one. November 3 ; one, at 7 a. m. November 10; one.
November 11 ; one. November 15; one. November 16; three, or forty-nine
In all.
1868. October 22;
Tremors in S. F., Cal. Fuchs. Peerey.
1868. October 23; 2:20 a. m.
Smart shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Another shock 7:30 a. m. — -Ap-
pleton's Annual Cyclopaedia, 1868. 2:15 A. m.; then two light shocks; and
another at 7:30 p. m. Perrey.
1868. October 26;
Tremors in 8. F., Cal. Fuchs. Slight shock at 8 a. m. S. F. D. A strong
shock, very long, at 8:05 a. m. Perrey.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 53
1868. Octol>er 26; about 11 a. m.
Two shocks, San Francisco, Cal. S. F. D.
1868. October 26; 11:54 p. m.
Smart shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Also in Oakland. Fuchs.
Pebbey.
1868. October 27;
Heavy shock in Oakland, Cal. Fuchs. S. F. Peebey.
1868. October 30; 10:20 p. m.
Slight shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1868. October 31;
S. F., Cal. B. Ms.
1868. November 1; 6:32 p. m.
Slight shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Petaluma, Cal. B. Ms.
1868. November 4; 8:08 p. m.
Smart shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Two "pretty severe" shocks at
Monterey. B. Ms.
1868. November 5;
Heavy shocks in S. F., Cal. Fuchs. One this day also at Victoria, Van-
couver. Peebey.
1868. November 17; 1:30 p. m.
Quick and violent shock at Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz TimeSy November 20,
1868. Quoted in S. F. Bulletin^ December 1. B. Ms. S. F. Call, December
1, 1868.
1868. November 20;
San Francisco. Peebey.
1868. November 30;
Several shocks in Oakland, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, December 1.
1868. December 26;
Two shocks at Nevada City, Cal. B. Ms.
1868. December 31; 11:66 a. m.
Two slight shocks at S. F., Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Times, January 1, 1869.
1869. January 7;
Two sharp shocks near the Newton Copper Mine, Amador? County, Cal.
B. Ms. (Jackson) Amador County Ledger; January 9, 1869.
1869. January 22; about 4 a. m.
At Haywards, Alameda County. B. Ms. S. F. Herald, January 23, 1869.
1869. January 28;
Slight shock in S. F., Cal. Fuchs. Peebey. 4 a. m., shock in S. F., and
Santa Cruz Mts. B. Ms. S. F. Times, January 30, 1869.
1869. January 29; 12 m.
Slight shock in S. F., Cal. Fuchs. Peebey.
1869. January 29; 1:46 p. m.
Heavy shock at Watson ville, Santa Cruz Countv. B. Ms. S. F. Times,
January 30, 1869.
1869. February 1; 10 p. m.
Slight shock at Livermore, Alameda County, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Herald,
February 3, 1869.
54 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1869. February 10;
San Jos6, Cal. Fuchs. Perrey. Santa Clara. B. Ms. Submarine
earthquake recorded by the tide-gauge at Fort Point, S. F. Mining and
Scientific Press.
1869. February 13; 4:30 a. m.
Light shock in S. F., Cal. Fdchs. Perrey. 4 a. m. S. F. D.
1869. March 11; 9:45 p. m.
San Jos6, Santa Clara County, Cal. B. Ms. 8. F. Times, March 16, 1869.
1869. April 1; 6:47 p. m.
Smart shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Also in San Jos6, Petaluraa, and
Stockton. Fuchs. Perrey. Lasted eighteen seconds in S. F.; occur-
red at 5:55 p. m. at Stockton, at Napa City, and Sonoma. B. Ms.
1869. AprU?:
Tuolumne County, Cal. B. Ms. S. F, Times, April 17, 1869. [The above
is the reference in B. Ms., but an examination oi this paper failed to find
the item.]
1869. May 19; 11:20 a. m.
A slight shock at S. F., Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Timss, May 20, 1869.
1869. May 30; 10:37 a. m.
S. F., Cal. B. Ms. S.F. Times, May 31, 1869.
1869. June 1;
Earthquake sea waves recorded at Ft. Point, (S. F.) Mining and Scientific
Press.
1869. June 2;
Santa Cruz and Gilroy papers speak of recent earthquakes, and the Fort
Point tide-gauge recorded an earthquake wave. Mining and Scientific
Press.
1869. June 12; 9:15 p. m.
Sharp shock at Eureka, Humboldt County, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Times, June
29, 1869.
1869. June 25; 6:20 a. m.
S. F. and San Jos^, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Times, June 26, 1869.
1869. July 23; 2:28 p. m.
Sharp shock at San Juan, Monterey Countv. B. Ms. S. F. Times, August
3, 1869.
1869. July 24;
Shock at San Juan, Monterey County. B. Ms. S. F. Times, August 3,
1869.
1869. September 5;
Arizona, California [sic\. Perrey, M^m. Cour. 22, p. 80.
1869. September 12;
?, California. Fuchs. Perrey.
1869. September 13;
California. Fuchs. Nevada City, Cal. B. Ms. On the coast, a
light shock; heavy at San Luis Obispo, light at Sacramento. Perrey.
1869. September 14;
Heavy shock in San Luis Obispo, Cal. Fuchs. [See September 13, Per-
REY^'s note. E. S. H.l
1869. September 15;
Light shock in Sacramento, Cal. Fuchs.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 55
1869. October 6; midnight.
At sea, fifty miles from Mendocino, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Timesy October 7,
1869.
1869. October 7; at night.
Severe shock at San Bernardino, Cal. B. Ms. S. F. Times, October 16»
1869; also October 19, 1869.
1869. October 8; 1:30 a. m.
Severest shock ever felt at Ukiah Valley, Mendocino County, Cal. B. Ms.
S. F. Times, October 14, 1869.
1869. October 21;
New River Station (near San Diego?). B. Ms.
1869. October;
Los Angeles. B. Ms.
1869. December 14; morning.
Santa Cruz. Cal.- — B. Ms. S. F. Golden Era, December 19, 1869.
1869. December 15;
Heavy shock in San Luis Obispo, Cal. Fuchs. Pebbey.
1869. December 19; p. m.
Several shocks in Mariposa, Cal., and in the mines at Virginia City. Nevada.
Also A. M. December 20. Fuchs. In the a. m. several shocks at Mariposa.
Pebbey.
18*69. December 20; 8 p. m.
Strong shock in Graiss Valley, Cal.; slightlj'- felt at Sacramento. Fuchs.
Pebbey. At Ophir HiU also. B. Ms.
1869. December 26; 5§ p. m.
Three shocks in Marysville; others in Stockton, etc. In Sacramento, two
shocks in the daytime; at 9 p. m., another shock here, and at Grass Valley,
etc. Twenty-six shocks at Mariposa during this night. Fuchs. Nevada
City and Grass Valley. B. Ms.
Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, Cal. A house near Railroad Flat was
lifted bodily several times. B. Ms. Lowe Hill; Stockton 5:52 p. m.;
Truckee; Grass Valley; Nevada; Chico; Mariposa. Pebbey. Nevada
City. B. Ms.
1869. December 27;
This day was the maximum for the California earthquakes of this month ;
2 A. M.,very heavy shocks in Marysville; 2:10 a. m., houses thrown down in
Sacramento, etc. Fuchs.
1869. December 27; 2 a. m.
Marysville, Sacramento, 2 a. m. Pebbey.
1870. January 7; ** end of January."
San Francisco, Cal. Fuchs.
1870. January 3;
San Bernardino, Los Angeles. B. Ms. S. F. Abend-Post, January 6, 1870.
1870. January 3; 11 p. m.
" Quite a shock," Bakerafield, Kern County, Cal. S. F. Bulletin, January 6,
1870. Fuchs.
1870. February 4;
Light shock in S. F., Cal. Fuchs.
1870. February 13-14; night.
Two light shocks in S. F., Cal. Fuchs. Oakland, Petaluma. B. Ms.
ir»'
. ■•♦' ♦,»••"• • •- ,». • _-_ ^ "^ ■^^ ♦•♦•• • ■ 77MT ""^ •• ^ 1E*i,
• 1.: J.-. . .»
»• •'
4
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 57
1871; February 9;
San Francisco, Cal. 8. F. D.
1871. March 2; 1:06^ p. m.
Severest for several years in Eureka, Humboldt County, Cal.; duration, twenty
seconds; another shock twenty-five minutes later; another, 7:30 p. m. This
shock was even more severe to the south and east, at Rhonerville, Hydes-
ville, in the same county. B. Ms. 5. F. Callj March 15, 1871. Chimneys
thrown down at Rhonerville and Petrolia. The oscillations lasted twenty
minutes. Appleton's Annual Cyclopedia, 1871.
1871. March 2;
Light keeper's house at Mendocino, Cal., injured. B. Ms. 8. F. Calif
March 28, 1871.
1871. March 6;
Weak shock in Carthago, Inyo County, Cal. Fuchs.
1871. AprU 2; 7:49 p. m.
Shock at San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Two light shocks. Fuchs. Also in
Contra Costa County. B. Ms.
■
1871. April 23;
^ Three slight shocks at S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
j 1871. May 19;
I Shocks in Washington Territory, and on Mt. Raynier. During the whole
month shocks on the coast. Fuchs.
1871. June 6; about 9 p. m.
Two strong shocks at Bear Valley, California. Fuchs.
1871. June 21;
Strong earthquakes, Cal. Fuchs.
1871. July 5; 6:64 a. m.
Visalia, Cal. Fuchs. Also severe shock at Independence and Swansea,
Inyo County. B. Ms.
1871. July 11; 7 p. m., a. m. ?
Independence, Inyo County, Cal. B. Ms.
1871. July 11; 7:30 p. m.
A shock more severe than that of July 5th, at Swansea, Inyo County, Cal.
B. Ms, Another shock at 12, midnight. B. Ms.
1871. July 11; 9 p. m.
Bishop's Creek, Inyo County, Cal. B. Ms. Severe at Owensville. B. Ms.
1871. July 12; midnight.
Swansea, Inyo County. B. Ms.
1871. July 12; 12 m.
Bishop's Creek, Inyo County, Cal. B. Ms. Severe at Owensville. B. Ms.
1871. July;
Kern County. Mining and Scientific Press, July 22, 1871.
1871. August 26;
Santa Rosa. B. Ms.
1871. August 31;
Gilroy. B. Ms.
1871. Early In September;
Castroville, Monterey County. B. Ms.
58 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1871. September IB; 6:45 a. m.
Gilroy, Cal. Fuchs.
1871. September 18;
S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1871. October 21;
Calistoga. B. Ms.
1871. October 27;
Temecula, near San Diego, Cal. B. Ms.
1871. December 12; 2:30 a. m.
Quite severe shock at Humboldt. B. Ms. ^. F, Call, December 24, 1871.
1871. ' No date;
Twenty shocks during the year, no dates given, at Moleje, Southern Califor-
nia. Fuchs.
1872. February 6;
Santa Barbara, "the first shock for fifteen years." B. Ms. [There are
shocks recorded, 1857, March 14; 1858, September 2, and 1860, April 16,
within the period of fifteen years; but none from 1860 to 1872 — twelve
years. E. S. H.]
1872. February 11;
Stockton. B. Ms.
1872. February;
Fresno County. B. Ms.
1872. March 17; about 1 o'clock.
Severe shock at Lone Pine, Cal. C. G. R. " Frightful." Fuchs.
1872. March 18;
S. F., Cal. S. F. D.
1872. March 23;
San Diego. B. Ms.
1872. March 26.
Severe shock at Jackson, Amador County, Cal. B. Ms.
1872. March 26;
Great Inyo County earthquake. Shocks were felt on this day in the City of
Mexico, New Madrid, Mo., and many other distant points. B. Ms.
Fuchs does not mention any earthquakes on this day except one on the
coast of Chili. On March 27, one at Oajaca, Mexico. He does not men-
tion an eruption of Colima. The earthquakes of March and April, 1872,
were, according to Whitney {Overland Monthly j vol. 9, p. 271), as follows:
March 6 ; central and eastern Germany.
March 11; destructive shocks in Japan.
March 23; Union ville and Winnemucca, Nevada.
March 26; the great earthquake at Inyo, which extended over all of Califor- J
nia except its northern end, and throughout nearly all of Nevada.
March 26 ; City of Mexico — 8-9 a. m.
March 26; Paducah, Ky.
March 28; Salt Lake City.
April 3 ; terrible shock at Antioch.
April 14 ; Accra; gold coast of Africa.
April 15; volcano of Merapi, Java, in eruption.
April 16, 17, 18; severe shocks in Iceland.
April 24 ; great eruption of Vesuvius.
April — ; great eruption in the Philippine Islands.
March 26. The shock was felt as far as Winnemucca, Nevada— 462 miles east
of San Francisco. B. Ms. Long, rolling, but moderate shocks in S. F.
T. T. The persistent duration of the shock was remarkable and unique
at S. F.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 59
March 26. At Big Pine, Inyo County, there was a fissure opened from 50 to
200 feet wide, in places 20 feet deep, extending for miles, close to the eastern
base of the Sierras. Near Fish Springs the earth was heaped up in ridges
6 to 10 feet high and 20 to 30 feet across. From Independence to Bishop's
Creek (50 miles), the ground is cracked all over the surface. At Bishop's
Creek the shock was severe, but light compared with that to the south. It
commenced at 2:30 a. m., and from then to 6:30 a. m. there were not less than
60 shocks. B. Ms. /S. F. Bulletin, March 28, April 1, 1872.
March 26. Lone Pine, Inyo County, Cal. In Lone Pine every adobe and
stone building was leveled to the ground. Sixty persons were killed and
wounded in that place alone. B. Ms. At Independence, the damage to
property was great. In other places in that county the loss of life and
property was considerable. In Lone Pine the damage to property was
$132,000; at Independence, $43,000 ; at Camp Independence, $26,000; in the
county, $237,000. B. Ms. Inyo Independent, March 30, 1872.
In the same paper of April 13, the editor says the losses were overestimated.
The total loss was less than $100,000. (The people at Lone Pine stopped the
paper for underestimating the loss.) Inyo Independent, April 20, 1872.
During this earthquake not a single wooden building in Inyo County was
injured to a dangerous extent, and not a single person in such a building
was injured at all. One thousand shocks in two days. Fughs.
March 26. The Inyo earthquake was felt from the City of Mexico to Oregon.
Shocks were felt on the same day at Paducah, Ky. At Camp Cady, A. T.,
its force was sufficient to move heavy wagons several feet. The volcano of
Colima, in Mexico, burst into eruption on this day. B. Ms. Inyo Inde-
pendent, April 20, 1872. {Note. — No eruption of Colima is mentioned by
FUCHS.]
March 26. Millerton, Fresno County, 2:15 a. m. Shocks continued until 11
o'clock of the same day. No damage was done. At Bennett's Station,
Merced County, a stone house was thrown down. At Chowchilla, quite
severe. At Fort Miller, quite severe. B. Ms. Fresno Expositor, April
30, 1872.
March 26. Fifty-two out of fiftv-nine buildings were thrown down in Lone
Pine, Inyo County. At J^os Angeles artesian wells were seriouslv affected
by earthquake. Some of them stopped entirely. At Glenn ville, Kern
County, large and important springs opened. The larger Owens Lake was
from 3 to 5 reet higher after the earthquake than before. The little lake 3
miles from Lone Pine entirely disappeared. Owens River, at Independence,
dried up and remained so for six hours. On Tuesday, the first aay of the
shocks, a dense fog or smoke prevailed over the valley. After the shocks,
smoke and fire were seen issuing from the' earth, the flames being blue.
A river was open and running between Lone Pine and Invo Lake, 75 yards
wide and 2 feet deep. B. Ms. Healdshurg Russian Kiver Flag, April
25, 1872.
March 26. Inyo County. The night before was calm, clear, and frosty, with the
moon just past the full. At Big Pine the shock was very severe. At Bishop
Creek somewhat less so. At Sierra, brick buildings were cracked. At Benton,
the same. At Swansea, buildings were leveled. At Belmont, a few stone
cabins were thrown down. B. Ms. Inyo Independent, March 30, 1872.
March 26. Yosemite Valley, many rocks fell, filling the valley with dust and
smoke. The largest trees waved to and fro, and were bent about like mere
twigs. B. Ms. S. F. Bulletin, April 10, 1872.
The water of Owens Lake, Inyo County, rose very rapidly in July, 1872, some-
times as much as 4 or 5 inches in a night. During this period the water in
Owens River, the main and almost only source of supply, was constantly
diminishing. For a short time after the earthquake the waters of the lake
fell several feet, and became stationary, remaining at about the same point
until the time mentioned. Previous to the earthquake, the lake had been
steadilv rising for 10 years. Innumerable springs broke out all along the
foothills. B. Ms. — —Inyo Independent, August 3, 1872. At Lone Pine, Big
Pine, Independence, the shock was severest; at Bishop's Creek, Au-
rora, Benton, and at the south end of Owens Lake the snock was less
severe.
March 26 to April 10. Inyo, Cal. The shocks continued up to April 10 at
intervals of a few hours, and in the mountains near by explosions were
frequent, resembling distant artillery. B. Ms. Alta, April 11, 1872,
April 12, 1872.
March 26. Cerro Gordo and Eclipse Mines, Inyo County, Cal. The rocking
motion was distinctly observed, especially in the timbering, and the miners
went to the surface, out soon resumed work. B. Ms. Inyo Independent,
April 20, 1872.
60 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES
March 26, San Francisco, 2:30 a. m. The shock was comparatively light in
San Francisco, but was the most severe on record at other places. It
extended at least from Red Bluff, in the north, to Visalia, in the southern
part of the State, and is said to have reached up into the Sierras to an ele-
vation of 3,000 or 4,000 feet. The whole of the Sacramento, San Joaquin,
and Tulare Valleys were disturbed, the area of disturbance being 500 miles
long by 60 to lOO' miles wide. The shock was severest in the vallevs. It
appears to have been of greatest energy near Visalia, in the Tulare Valley,
which is the bed of a former lake. The alluvium was profoundly and fre-
quently agitated, and shocks were long continued. B. Ms. ^.F. Bul-
letin, March 26, 1872.
March 26. Marysville. Motion from south to north. Bangor, shock from
the east. B. Ms. Marysville Appeal, March 27, 1872.
March 26. At the Kearsarge Mill in Inyo County, located at an altitude of
nearly 8,000 feet above the sea, electric shocks from a stove were felt.
B. Ms. Inyo Independent, April 20, 1872.
March 26. Mariposa County. Several shocks all through this section of the
country, continuing for several days. B. Ms. Mariposa Gazette, March
29, 1872.
March 26. Los Angeles. Vibrations were from east to west. In Anaheim
they were from north to south. In Visalia the most damage was done.
Brick buildings were strained and cracked. Some walls were thrown down.
Upwards of 30 shocks occurred at Visalia. B. Ms. Los Angeles Evening
Express, March 26, 1872.
March 26. Geyser Gulch, near headwaters of the San Joaquin. Miners'
cabins in this vicinity were thrown to the ground with violence. This
place is 40 or 50 miles from Independence, Inyo County. B. Ms.
Fresno Expositor, April 10, 1872.
March 26. Grass Valley. Steeple of St. Patrick's Church swayed to and fro
violently, Gra^s Valley Union, March 27, 1872.
March 26. Sacramento. Several shocks, although no damage was done.
Folsom Telegraph, March 30, 1872.
March 26. Folsom. Three distinct shocks at half-past two in the morning.
Salmon Falls, the first shock lasted 2 minutes, and was quite severe.
Folsom Telegraph, March 30, 1872.
March 26. Napa. Napa Reporter, March 30, 1872.
March 26. See article by Prof. Le Conte. S. F. Bulletin, April 12, 1872.
March 26. Los Angeles. B. Ms. Los Angeles Evening Express, March 26,
1872.
March 26, 2:25 a. m. Placerville, Placer Countj^two or three distinct shocks
in quick succession. B. Ms. Pfa/ierville Democrat, March 30, 1872.
March 26. Monitor.- — B. Ms. Alpine Miner, March 30, 1872.
March 26. Nevada City, two shocks were felt, severe enough to cause nausea.
B. Ms. Nevada City Daily Transcript, March 27, 1872.
March 26. The shock was reported as light at Antioch, Martinez, Santa Cruz,
Pacheco, Napa. H. Ms. At Woodland, Yolo County, the shock was felt
at 2:25 a. m., and lasted 30 seconds.
March 26. The shock was reported as severe, or very severe, at Sacramento,
Visalia, Red BIufF, Copperopolis, Sonora, Sutter Creek, Forest and Iowa
Hills, Placerville, San Jos4, Stockton, Santa Barbara, Hill's Ferry (Stanis-
laus County), Pescadero, and along the coast. Woodland (Yolo County),
Chico, Colusa, Alpine County, San Diego, Salinas, Virginia City (Nev.), Ma-
rysville, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, San Juan Capistrano, Fort Tejon, Fiores,
Inyo Valley, Mariposa, Calaveras, Eureka. H. Ms.
March 26. Articles on this earthquake may be found in S. F. Bulletin, March
26, 27. 28, 29, 30, April 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 24, May 10, 17; Alta, March 31, April 3;
Call, March 27,31, April 13, May 17; Chronicle, March 29 to May 4; 5. F.
Golden Era, March 31; Pacific Observer, March 29; Inyo Independent, April 6.
March 26. Accounts in Mlninq and. Scientific Press, March 30, 1872, April 6
(description of the region by H. G. Hanks'), April 30, May 11 (underground
shocks). May 25. Professor Whitney, in Overland Monthly, Yol. 9, gives a
very full and scientific account of this earthquake. "A fissure was opened
in the earth from about 2 miles north of Lone Pine, extending 10 miles
further north. This fissure was 4 feet wide, and the ground on the east .
side sank from 4 to 12 feet lower than that on the west side {or the west
side was raised). At the same time the ground on the east side was moved
bodily 10 feet or so towards the north (or the other to the south). This was
clearly shown by the position of fences running east and west." Verbal
account of Capt. Keeler, who has given me a photograph showing the
shifting of the fences.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 61
1872. March 28;
Nevada City, Cal. B. Ms.
1872. March 28;
Visalia. B. Ms.
1872. March 29:
Los Angeles, Cal; shock lasting 49 seconds, the longest ever felt here, though
not the most severe. B. Ms.
1872. April 3; early in the morning.
Two sharp shocks ; Visalia, Cal. B. Ms.
1872. April 3; 4:15 a. m.
Stockton. B. Ms.
1872. April 9; 7 a. m.
Visalia. B. Ms.
1872. April 10; 3 to 4 a. m.
Visalia, several shocks. B. Ms.
1872. April 10; evening.
Sharp shock of extraordinary length. B. Ms.
1872. April 10 ?; 7:10 p. m.
Stockton. B. Ms.
1872. April 10; 7:20 p. m.
Heavy shock at Tuolumne, which was also felt at Mokelumne Hill. B. Ms.
1872. April 11;
Tuolumne ; severe shock, 4 a. m. ; another, 5:30 a. m. ; one more severe at 1
A. M. {sic) \ another at 9:30 p. m.; another severe at 10 p. m. B. Ms.
1872. AprU12;
Tuolumne, three shocks, 2:30 a. m.; one at 4 a. m.; two at sunrise. B. Ms.
1872. April 13;
Round Valley, Inyo County, severe shock. B. Ms.
1872. April 18;
Cerro Gordo, Inyo County, very severe shock. B. Ms.
1872. April 23;
Placerville, Cal. B. Ms.
1872. April 28;
Millerton, Fresno 'County, Cal. A shock as violent as that of March 26, 1872,
though shorter. B. Ms.
1872. AprU 28;
Severe shock at Nevada City, Cal., 8 seconds duration. B. Ms.
1872. AprU 30;
Marysville, two light shocks. B. Ms.
1872. May 1;
Salinas, Gilroy, Cal. Mining and Scientific Press.
1872. May 21;
Shocks are still frequent in Inyo County. A number of the old craters are
still emitting steam. B. Ms. Alia, May 22, 1872.
1872. June 15;
Millerton, Fresno County, Cal. B. Ms.
62 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1872. August 23; 4 p. m.
Earthquake waves at Ft. Point for 20 hours. Mining and Scientific Press.
1872. September 14;
Owens River Vallev. Inyo County, Cal. C. G. R. Sharp shocks, but no
damage done. mining and Scientific Press.
1872. September 18; evening.
Yountville, Napa County, Cal. B. Ms.
1872. October 1;
8aa Francisco, Cal. S. F. D.
1872. October 2;
8an Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1872. October 12; 4:10 a. m.
Sharp shock. San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Also Oakland. C. G. R.
1872. October 18;
Millerton, Fresno County, Cal. B. Ms.
1872. October 19;
Millerton, Fresno County, Cal. B. Ms.
1872. October 21; 8:05 p. m.
Light shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Petaluma. B. Ms. Also Val-
lejo, San Rafael. B. Ms.
1872. Noyember 12; at night.
Stockton, Cal. C. G. R.
1872. November 21;
Petaluma. B. Ms.
1872. December 14; 9:20-9:40 p. m.
Oregon and Washington Territory.— *—C. G. R.
1872. December 14, 15, 16;
Olympia, W. T. Professor George Davidson kindly refers me to an account
of these earthquakes in the Weekly Pacific Tribune, Olympia, December 21,
1872: "In an unofficial report to Professor Davidson, at San Francisco,
Captain JjAWson says, December 14, 1872: Shock occurred precisely at 9h.
4(Hm. It commenced with a slight movement, gradually increasing for 18
or 20 seconds. Then came the heavy shock, lasting 4 or 5 seconds; then it
gradually decreased. In six minutes after the first sliock there was another,
followed by two others, one minute apart. At lOh. 12m. 40s. there was an-
other shock, and after 11 p. m. there were five others. During the night,
other shocks were reported (I did not feel them) at Sand 5 o'clock. On
Sunday evening, December 15, at ()h. 37^m., a light shock. December 16, at
9h. 17m. 30s. a. m., another light shock. 'This shock was felt as far south as
Eugene, in Oregon, and as far north as British Columbia — probably even
in Alaska. In Victoria and elsewhere on Vancouver Island, the shock is
said to have been heavier than at any other point heard from. In Olympia
we have heard of but a single article broken or damaged by the shock.
This was a statuette, which was thrown from top of a whatnot and smashed
on the floor. In the Seattle stores, we are informed, considerable quantities
of crockery and glassware were broken. From what is so far known, the
earthquake was confined mainly to the Puget Sound Basin, thence extend-
ing north and south with a gradually decreasing force, until it disappeared
in a distance of 400 or 500 miles." The direction of the shock (December
14) at Olympia, was south to north at first, then southeast to northwest.
1872. December 16;
A shock was felt at various places near Puget Sound, W. T. C. G. R.
1872. December 16;
Visalia. B. Ms.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 63
1872-1876. (March):
No shocks at San Diego in this period. B. Ms.
1873. February 2; 3:30 p. m.
Light shock, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1873. February 3; 3 p. m.
Light shock at San Francisco ; severe at San Jos6 and Santa Clara. C. G.
R, Two shocks. S. F. D.
1873. March;
^n Diego Union speaks of a newly discovered volcanic region near Moleje, in
Lower California. In 1872 twenty distinct shocks were felt; in 1870 five
severe shocks. C. G. R.
1873. AprUlO;
Mission San Jos6. B. Ms.
1873. April 12; in the evening.
Three light shocks, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1873. April 21;
Mission San Gabriel. C. G. R.
1873. May;
San Bernardino. B. Ms.
1873. June;
San Bernardino. B. Ms.
1873. July 15;
Slight shock, Napa, Cal. C. G. R.
1873. August 29; 4 p. m.
Heavy shock at San Jos6, Cal. C. G. R. Severe shock at Redwood, San
Mateo County ; time not given. B. Ms. S. F. Post, September 3, 1873.
1873. October 12; 1:1S a. m.
San Diego, Cal. C. G. R.
1873. October 19; 2 p. m.
Slight shock, Seattle, W. T. ; 4 p. M., clouds of smoke were seen pouring from
the highest peak of Mt. Rainier. C. G. R.
1873. November 6;
Nevada. B. Ms.
«
,1873. November 22; a little after 9 p. m.
A shock was felt from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco, Cal. ; most severe
at Crescent City, Cal., and Port Oriord, Oregon. C. G. R. Nearlj"^ every
brick building in Crescent City was injured; chimneys were damaged there
and up the coast to Port Orford, in the interior as far as Jacksonville, Ore-
fon, and east from Crescent as far as Happy Camp, on the Klamath. B.
Is.
November 22. Severe shock at Linckville, Klamath Lake, Oregon. In Jack-
son and Josephine Counties, Oregon, and Trinity County, Cal., the shock
was strong, and lasted nearly a minute. B. Ms. Ft. IClamath, Oregon.
B. Ms.
November 22. This shock was very severe in Washington Territory. B. Ms.
1873. December 3;
Sharp shock, Santa Clara, Cal. C. G. R.
1874. January 18;
Two slight shocks, San Francisco, Cal. — -C. G. R.
1874. January 19;
Slight shock, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
64 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1874. March 6; 4:03 a. m.
iSharp and short shock at San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1874. March 29;
Alpine County. B. Ms.
1874. May 24; 2 a. m.
Two sharp shocks, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R. Slight shock. S. F. D.
1874. June 11; 8 p. m.
Two sharp shocks, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1874. August 3; in the evening.
Light shock, Clifton, San Bernardino County, Cal. C. G. R.
1874. August;
Gilroy, Santa Clara County, Cal. B. Ms.
1874. December 10;
Nevada [Cal.?] B. Ms.
1874. December 14;
San Francisco Cal. B. Ms.
1876. January 24; 4 a. m.
Heavy shock in Butte, Plumas, and Sierra Counties, Cal. C. G. R. At
Oroville, Taylorsville, Greenville, and Downieville. B. Ms.
1875. February 7; 2 a. m., 10:46 a. m., 11:45 a. m.
Three shocks, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1875. June 16;
San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1876. June 18; forenoon.
Slight shocks in San Francisco. C. G. R.
1875. June 18; 3:35 a. m.
Sharp shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. 3 A. m. S. F. D.
1875. August 8; in the morning.
Heavy shock was felt at HoUister, Cal. C. G. R.
1875. October 14; 6 p. m.
A sharp shock at San Francisco and in the Santa Clara Valley, Cal., with a
heavy sea, without wind, from Santa Cruz to Cape Mendocino. C. G. R.
5:55 p. M., S. F., Cal.-— T. T.
1875. November 2;
A severe shock at Fort Yuma, Arizona. C. G. R.
1875. November 7;
Heavy shock in San Benito County, Cal. C. G. R.
1876. November 14; 7:52 p. m.
Two shocks at San Francisco, Cal. T. T. San Jos6. U. S. W. R.
1875. November 16; 7:55 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1875. November 27; 10:18 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal. T. T. C. G. R.
1875. December 2; 2:40 p. m.
Three shocks, Marysville, Yuba County, Cal. B. Ms. See December 3.
1875. December 3; afternoon.
Grass Valley, Cal. C. G. R. [Probably December 2d ?]
f. 1
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 65
1875. December 21;
Santa Barbara, Cal. C. G. R.
1875. December 23; night.
In Placer, Nevada, and Yuba Counties, Cal. C. G. R.
1875. December 24; in the evening.
Grass Vallej^ Cal. C. G. R.
1876. January 21; between 3 and 4 a. m.
San Jos6, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco. C. G. R.
1876. March 25; 6 a. m., 1 p. m.
Two slight shocks, Oakland, Cal. C. G. R.
1876. May 10;
Santa Barbara, Cal. C. G. R.
1876. August 16; 1:15 p. m.
Lat. 41" 55' N., long. 126" 25' W., off the southern part of Oregon. C. G. R.
1876. October 6; 9:20 and 10:08 p. m.
San Francisco, Cal., Oakland, San Jos^, and Angel Island. C. G. R.
1876. October;
White Sulphur Springs. ? B. Ms. Ashland (Oregon) Tidings^ October
28, 1876.
1876. December 11; 7 p. m.
At Silver Mountain, Cal., a series of seven shocks within thirty minutes. A
slight shock at 3 o'clock the next morning. C. G. R.
1877. January 10; 1:15 ?
A sharp shock at Los Aneeles, Cal.; at Benedict Cafion, near there, three
distinct shocks. C. G. K.
1877. January 13; about noon.
A heavy earthquake forty-five miles southeast of San Diego. C. G. R.
1877. February 17; morning.
Heavy shock at Quincy, Plumas County, Cal. C. G. R.
1877. May 30; between 2 and 3 a. m.
Heavy shock at Paso Robles, Cal. C. G. R.
1877. May;
Tidal waves at San Francisco. Diagram given at "p. 169 of Milne's Earth-
quakes.
1877. June 23; a few minutes before midnight.
Santa Barbara, three shocks. B. Ms. 11:30 p. m., Bakersfield, Cal. C. G. R.
1877. July 2; 10:35 a. m.
Gilroy. B. Ms. 8. F. Bulletin, July 5, 1877.
1877. July 9;
A shock at Sacramento, Cal., lasting one minute. C. G. R.
1877. August 17; 7:30 p. m.
Heavy shock at Campo, Cal. C. G. R.
1877. August 27;
Eureka, Humboldt County, Cal. B. Ms.
1877. August;
S. F., Cal. B. Ms. Antioch Ledger, September 1, 1877.
5
66 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1877. September 7; 10 p. m.
Yuma, Arizona. Fuchs.
1877. September 19; about 4 p. m.
Los Angeles, Gal. B. Ms. 8. F. Bulletin, September 22, 1877.
1877. September 29; 2:30 p. m.
Campo, Cal. C. G. R.
1877. October 12; 1:63 p. m.
Portland, Oregon ; 1:45 p. m., Marshfield, Oregon ; 1:52 p. m., Cascades, Oregon ;
9 A. M., Cascades, Oregon. C. G. R.
1877. November 24; 6:30 a. m., 6:50 a. m.
Two shocks at Red Bluff, Cal. C. G. R.
1878. January 8;
Santa Barbara, Cal. B. Ms. 8. F. Golden Era, January 12, 1878. Stock-
ton Independent, January 10, 1878.
1878. February 26; 11:56 a. m.
San Francisco. Cal. U. S. W. R.
1878. March 17;
Two shocks at St. Thomas, Lower California. U. S. W. R.
1878. March 18; 6:30 a. m.
Tacoma, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1878. April 23; 10 a. m.
Heavy earthquake at Loreto, Gulf of California. Shocks continued till May
3d. Fuchs.
1878. May 8; 8:25 p. m.
From Red Bluff to Sacramento City, Cal. C. G. R.
1878. May 21;
San Bernardino, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1878. June 11-12; 11:12 p. m.; 11:20 p. m.; 2:30 a. m., and 6:30 a. m.
Four shocks at Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1878. July 2; 5h. 55m. 308. (a. m. or p. m.?)
Two light shocks at Campo, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1878. July 26; 8:25 a. m.
Los Angeles, Cal. C. G. R.; and San Bernardino. Fuchs.
1878. September 7; about 9:35 a. m.
Three shocks at San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1878. September 7; 11 a. m.
Severe earthquake in the southern portion of Humboldt County, Cal. B.
Ms.
1878. September 29; 6 p. m.
San Francisco and Oakland, Cal. C. G. R.
1878. October 11; 7:30 p. m.
A severe shock at San J os6, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1878. October 21; 5:40 p. m.
Two shocks at Sacramento, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1878. November 11; 9:45 a. m.
A slight shock at San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1878. December 9; 3:20 p. m.
A severe shock at Red Bluff, Cal. C. G. R.
t
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 67
1878. December 17; 4 p. m.
Two shocks at Campo, Cal. C. G. R. Also Yuma, Arizona. Fuchs.
1879. February 4; Ob. 8m. a. m.
A shock at Visalia, Cal. C. G. R.
1879. February 19; a few minutes after 6 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1879. May;
? B. Ms. Esmeralda Herald, May 31, 1879.
1879. May 26; 8:40 p. m.
Princeton, Colusa County, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1879. August 10; 1:16 p. m.
A light shock at Los Angeles, Cal. Tidal-wave at Santa Monica. Heavy
shock at San Fernando. C. G. R.
1879. August 18;
A shock at Fiske's Mills, Sonoma County, Cal. C. G. R.
1879. October 2; 6:30 a. m.
Oakland, Cal. C. G. R.
1879. December 7; 8:16 p. m.
A slight shock at Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1879. ? 7
There was a smart shock in Portland, Oregon — and only two or three shocks
have been felt since that time. Communicated by Geo. J. Ainswobth,
Esq.
1880. January 9; '5:46 a. m.
Santa Cruz, Gonzales, and Hollister, Cal. C. G. R.
1880. March 21; 6:25 a. m.
A heavy shock, Los Angeles, Cal.—; — U. S. W. R.
1880. March 26; 2:30 a. m.
Moderate shock, San Gorgonio, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1880. April 12; 4:40 a. m.
Severe shock at Los Angeles; most severe on San Gabriel River; 4:30 a. m.
sharp shock at Riverside, San Bernardino County. S. F. Chronicle, April
13, 1880.
1880. April 12; 8:03 a. m.
Severe shock at San Buenaventura, Ventura County, Cal. S. F. Chronicle,
April 13, 1880.
1880. April 14; 1:06 p.m.
Strong shock, San Francisco. C. G. R. Oakland. B. Ms.
1880. May 6; 11 p. m. .
Slight shock, San Francisco, Cal.; 11:35 p. m., San Jos6. C. G. R.
1880. June 24; 12:47 a. m.
San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1880. August 22; 1:26 p. m.
Southern part of Vancouver Island and northwest part of Washington Ter-
ritory. FucHS.
1880. August 29; 1:10 p. m.
A slight shock, San Diego, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1880. September 26; 6:40 p. m.
Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
68 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1880. November 4; 7:37 p. m.
Sharp shock at San Francisco, Cal. Felt slightly at San Jos^. C. G. E.
1880. November 6;
Newcastle, Cal. Fuchs.
1880. November 12; 8:45 p. m.
Slight shock at Los Angeles, Cal. C. G. R.
1880. November 12; 10:30 p. m.
Santa Barbara, Cal. C. G. R.
1880. November 21; 8:10, 11 p.m., and 2:30 a. m.; 7:46, 9:46, and 11 p. m.
Los Angeles, Cal. C. G. R.
1880. December 7; 6:64 p. m.
Olympia, W. T.; also at Bainbridge Island, W. T. C. G. R.
1880. December 10; 6 a. m.
Bainbridge Island, W. T. IT. S. W. R.
1880. December 12; 8:40 p. m.
Severe shock near Puget Sound, W. T., from Victoria to Portland. C. G. R.
1880. December 14; 7 p. m.
Slight shock was felt at Bainbridge Island, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1880. December 19; between 2 and 3 a. m.
Los Angeles, Cal. 3:40 p. m., from Los Angeles to San Diego. C. G. R.
1880. December 20; 11:16 p. m.
Bainbridge Island, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1880. December 21; 11 p. m.
Sharp shock at San Diego and Campo, Cal. 3:22 a. m., Campo, Cal. C. G. R.
1880. December 26; 2:30 p. m.
Tecaluma, San Diego County, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1880. December 28; 11 p. m.
Severe shock, Tecaluma, Cal. — ^U. S. W. R.
1880. December 29; 11:26 p. m.
Slight shock, Bainbridge Island, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1881. January 1; 6:66 p. m.
Red Bluff, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. January 6-7;
Bainbridge Island, W. T. Slight shocks at 10:56 p. m. of 5th. Slirfit shocks
4:20 p. M. of 6th. Slight shocks at 10:15 p. m. of 7th. U. S. W. K.
1881. January 6; 6:26 p. m.
Red Bluff, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. January 7; 6:16 a. m.
Slight shock, Campo, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. January 16; 11 p. m.
Slight shock, Bainbridge Island, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1881. January 24; 8:64 p. m.; 9:16 p. m.; 11:16 p. m.
Three shocks, San Francisco and Oakland, Cal. C. G. R.
1881. January 30; 9:46 p. m.
Slight shock, Bainbridge Island, W. T. U. S. W. R.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 69
1881. February 1; 4:11 p. m. (three shocks); 9:53 p. m. (two shocks).
VisaUa, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. February 2;
SUght shock at Salinas City, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. February 14; about 1 o'clock.
Slight shock at Ukiah, Cal. C. G. R.
1881. March 14; 10:30 p. m.
Slight shock at Bainbridge Island, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1881. April 10; 2 a. m.-2:15 a. m.
Several severe shocks in Central California. C. G. R.
1881. AprU 27; 9:10 p. m.
Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. May 14; I3h. 9m.
Slight shock at Berkeley, Cal. Traiis. Sdsmol. Soc. ofJapariy vol. x, p. 95.
1881. June 30; 8 a. m.
Sharp shock at Campo, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. July 2; 11 p. m.
San Juan, San Benito County, Cal. C. G. R.
1881. July 3; 2:10 a. m.
Heavy shock at Hanford and Visalia, Cal. C. G. R.
1881. August 30; 7 p. m.
Two slight shocks at Santa Barbara, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. September 18; 6:20 p. m.
Severe shock at San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1881. October 2; 9 a. m.
Sharp shock, Campo, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. October 31; 4:10 p. m.
Slight shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1881. November 11; 4 p. m.
Slight shock, San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1881. November 13; 11:15 p. m.
Smart shock, San Francisco, Cal. T. T. 11:20 p. M. U. S. W. R.
1881. November 15; at noon.
San Jos6, Cal. C. G. R.
1882. January 26; evening.
Two severe shocks, Centerville, Cal. C. G. R.
1882. February 3; 2:40 a. m.
Sharp shock, San Gorgonio, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. March 6; 2 p. m.
Successive shocks at Merced ; 1:57 p. m., two severe shocks at Santa Cruz; 1:45
p. M., two severe shocks at Gilroy; 1:45, one severe shock at Monterey; 1:474
severe shock at Watsonville. B. Ms. S. F. W. Call, March 9, 1882.
1882. March 11; 3:30 p. m.
Poway, San Diego County, Cal. C. G. R.
1882. March 11; 4 p. m.
Slight shock, San Diego, Cal. C. G. R 4:25 p. m. H. Ms.
70 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1882. March 16; 1:46 p. m.
Light shock, San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. March 7:
Two slight shocks in Salinas, Cal., during the month. Fuchs.
1882. April 13; 6:30 a. m.
Sharp shock, San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. April 30; 10:48 p. m.
Two shocks, Portland, Oregon. C. G. R.
1882. May 1; 12:25 a. m.
Portland, Oregon. Fuchs.
1882. June 27; 6:22 a. xn.
Two severe shocks, four seconds apart, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R. Also
HoUister and Stockton. Fuchs.
1882. July 16; 7:46 p. m.
Sharp shock, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R. Heavy shock at Centerville,
Alameda County. H. Ms.
1882. July 22; 11:08 a. m.
Very light shock at San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. July 31; ahout noon.
Li^ht shock at Cape Mendocino, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. Au^st 8;
Light shocks at Oakland, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. August 9; 8:46 p. m.
Light shock at San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. August 13; night.
Seven shocks at Round Valley, Inyo County. Two shocks between 12 and 1,
night, were very severe. 11. Ms.
1882. August; twice during the month.
Salinas, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. September 30; 10:67 a. m. '
Sharp shock at Campo, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1882. October 8; 2 a. m.
Heavy shock at San Diego, Cal. C. G. R.
1882. October 9;
In the past week, three shocks at Cape Haytien, W. T. Fuchs.
1882. October 20; 2:16 a. m.
Severe shock at San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1882. October 20; 3:10 a. m.
Sharp shock in San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1882. October 31; 6:46 p. m.
Sharp shock, San Francisco, Cal. ; felt, also, at Sonoma, Napa, Petaluraa, and
San Rafael. C. G. R.
1882. November 11; 7:30 a. m.
Severe shock at Mendocino. H. Ms.
1882. December 19; 11:46 p. m.
Two light shocks, Visalia, Cal. U. S. W. R. Bakersfield, two shocks at
11:30. H. Ms.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 71
1883. January 23; 51i.
flight shock, Los Angeles, Cal. U. 8. W. R.
1883. January 23; 11:40 p. m.
Light shock in San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Sharp shock. U. S. W. R.
1883. February 6; 16h. 30m.
Slight shock, San Diego, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. March 21; shortly before 1 a. m.
Centerville (Alameda County), severe. H. Ms.
1883. March 21; 4:30 a. m.
Mendocino. H. Ms.
1883. March 30; 7h. 48ni., 7h. 52m., 8h. 16m.
Three shocks, San Francisco, Cal.; nine shocks, Watsonville. C. G. R.
Light shock, S. F., 8:10 a. m. T. T. 7:39 a. m., at Hollister; very heavy
shock, windows broken, etc. H. Ms.
March 30. 7:45 a. m. ; Santa Cruz, three shocks. 7:42 a. m. ; Watsonville, violent
shocks, nine in all; pendulum clocks were stopped. 7:35 a. m.; San Luis
Obispo. 7:50 a. M.; Centerville, three shocks. About 8 a.m.; Mission San J os^,
several sharp shocks. 7:40 a. m. ; Gilroy, glass broken. 8 a. m. ; Martinez,
two shocks. 7:40 a. m. ; Salinas. 7:45 a. m. ; Monterey. H. Ms.
1883. April 2; 8h. 50m.
Two light shocks, San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. July 7; lOh. 60m.
Light shock at Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. July 30;
Two shocks, Gilroy, Cal. C. G. R. July 31 ? Fuchs.
1883. August 4; llh. and 12h. 60m.
Two light shocks at Oakland, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. August 31;
Los Angeles. H. Ms.
1883. September 1; 8h. 26m.
Light shock, Los Angeles, Cal. A second shock four seconds later. U. S.
1883. September 6; 4h. 30m.
Shocks at Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Wilmington, and San Buenaventura,
Cal. C. G.R. >
1883. September 13; 14h. 30m.
Santa Barbara, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. September 28; about midnight.
Two shocks, Portland, Oregon. C. G. R.
1883. October 9; 23h. 3m.
Two light shocks, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1883. October 8? or 9?
6:45 p. M., light shock at Salinas; 7:50 p. m., much stronger at Salinas; 9:45
p. M., another at Salinas; Santa Cruz, a severe shock. H. Ms.
1883. October 10; 1:06 a. m.
Sharp shock in San Francisco. T. T. Heaviest since 1868. B. Ms. Not
felt at Sacramento. Severe at Gilroy and Port Costa. H. Ms. Davisville
reports a severe shock; Berkeley; Oakland. H. Ms. Detaille (L' As-
tronomic, 1885, p. 188).
1883. October 16; 3h. 16m.
A slight shock at Cape Mendocino, Cal. U. S. W. R.
72 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1883. October 22; 6 a. m.
South side of the Merced River, below Merced Falls; a shock threw a section
of the bluflf two hundred feet by sixty by eighty feet, into the river. A
sharp shock a few minutes before midnigHt. H. Ms.
1883. October 24; 161i. 142n.
A severe shock at Cape Mendocino, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. October 30; in the morxLlng.
Two light shocks at Oakland, Cal.-^U. S. W. R. Light shock at S. F.
T. T.
1883. November 11; 181i. 15m.
Slight shock at Poway, San Diego County, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. December 3;
Severe shock at Shasta, Cal. H. Ms.
1883. December 12; 231i. 40m.
A slight shock at Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. December 12; 1:00 a. m.
Heavy shock at Salinas, Cal. H. Ms.
1883. December 13;
Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1883. December 16? lob.
A slight shock at Poway, San Diego County, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1884. January 3; 201i. 40m.
A light shock, Portland, Oregon. U. S. W. R.
1884. January 4; lib. 66m.
Very light shock, Los Angeles, Cai. U. S. W. R.
1884. January 20.
Professor George Davidson, of the U. S. C. S., reported from San Francisco
that at 19h. 24m. earthquake waves were indicated by the levels of the
astronomical instruments of the observatorj'^, and they continued for
twenty minutes. C. G. R.
1884. January 27; 23h. 30m.
Moderate earthqiiake in Humboldt County, Cal. A second shock five min-
utes later. C. G. R.
1884. March 10; 3h. 7m.
Very light shock, San Francisco, Cal. C. G. R.
1884. March 20; 4:40 p. m.
Severe shock, San Francisco, Cal. At 5:17 another less severe. Shocks felt
from Santa Cruz to Petaluma. Fuchs. 4:44 p. m. T. T. Professor
Davidson gives times of three shocks. At Gilroy, severe shock ; at Center-
ville, light ; at Santa Cruz, severe ; at Petaluma, quite severe ; at Redwood
City, quite severe; Mission San Jos6, two heavy shocks; Spanishtown,
severe; San Jos6; Grass Valley. H. Ms.
1884. AprU 6; 6h. 20m.
A very light shock at Eureka and Hydesville, Humboldt County, Cal.
C. G. R.
1884. AprU 8.
In the morning very light shocks, Eureka, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1884. AprU 11;
Light shock. Eureka, Cal. Fuchs.
1884. AprU 17; 21h. lOm.
Light shock at Oakland, Cal. U. S. W. K
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES, 73
1884. AprU 20; llh. SOm.
A very light shock at Oakland, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1884. June 6; Ih.
Two strong shocks were felt at Red Bluff, Cal., with an interval of three or
four seconds. C. G. R.
1884. June 12; 81i. 43m.
A strong shock is reported by Captain C. F. Swan to have been felt at sea. in
latitude 40*' 24' north, lon^tuae 125" SCy west, being about seventy-nve
miles west of Cape Mendocino, Cal. C. G. R.
1884. June 16; lOh. 48m.
Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1884. July 16; about daylight.
A very light shock at San Francisco, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1884. August 2-3; in the night.
A very light shock at Santa Barbara, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1884. August 3;
Lower Lake, Lake County, Cal. Shocks day and night. H. Ms.
1884. August 4; Ih.
Three very light shocks at Santa Barbara, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1884. September 21; between 22h. and 23h.
Light shocks were felt at New Tacoma, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1884. September 26; 10:53 p. m.
Light shock at Yuma, Arizona. Fuchs. .
1884. September 27; 3 a. m.
Light shock, Yuma, Arizona. Fuchs.
1884. October 2; 2:32 p. m.
Light shock, Rivas, Cal. Fuchs.
1884. October 2; 3 p. m.; and 4 p. m. (heavy).
San Juan del Sur, Cal. Fuchs.
1884. October 22; 15h. 34m.
A light shock at Los Angeles, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1884. November 4; 18h.
Three shocks 150 miles off Cape Mendocino, Cal., followed a few hours later
by two heavier onQ3. U. S. W. R.
1884. November 9;
Three earthquakes at Hollister, Cal. A. S.
1884. November 12;
The self-registering tide gauge at Saucelito, Cal., recorded a series of waves
probably due to a suomarine earthquake. C. G. R. San Francisco
JSvening Bulletin of December 13.
1885. January 26; Ih. 33m. 120th meridian time.
A moderate earthquake (V) occurred in Central California from San Fran-
cisco, northward, to Napa and Petaluma. U. S. W. R. Sharp shock, 1:32.
T. T.
1885. January 26; 8:57 p. m.
Light shock in San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Light shock (IV) Central Cali-
fornia. C. G. R.
74 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES.
1886. January 30; about 10:46.
Honey Lake Valley, Lassen County, Cal. Shock lasting over a minute ;
breaking glass and throwing down chimneys. In the ten days preceding
February 8th, probably over one hundred distinct shocks have been felt.
Shocks were most severe about Janesville, and on Susan River, twelve
miles from Susanville. H. Ms. See Feb. 26.
1886. January 30; 9:40 p. m.
Shock twenty seconds long in Sierra County. H. Ms. At Susanville the
shocks lasted from 9 p. m. to 4 a. m. Thirteen shocks were felt in places in
the valley. H. Ms.
1886. January 30; 211l. 38m., 120th meridian time.
A very light shock (III) at Sacramento, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1886. February 6; 231i.
A moderate shock (V ?) at Geyser Springs, Sonoma County, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. February 6; 2b.
A moderate shock (V?) at Geyser Springs, Sonoma County, Cah C. G. R.
1886. February 7; night.
Four severe shocks at Susanville. H. Ms.
1886. February 22; 18b. 63m.
A very light shock (III) at Newcastle, Placer County, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. February 26;
The earthquakes still continue in the vicinity of Susanville. One shock
recently, it is said, shook down the curbing of a well. The shocks appear
to be local, as none are felt one hundred miles from here. This locality is
in Lassen County, in the extreme northeastern part of the State. — -(8. F.
C.) C. G. R.
1886. lllarcb 30; 28b. 66m., 120th meridian time.
A strong shock (VI) in Central California, from San Rafael, Marin County,
to Monterey, Salinas, and HoUister. C. G. R.
1886. March 31; about 3b.
A very light earthquake (III) at Fall Brook, San Diego County, Cal. U.
S. W. R.
1886. April 2; 7h. 16m.
A very light shock (III) Sacramento, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. AprU 2; 7h. 26m.
A light shock (IV) at Merced and Fresno, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. AprU 7; 2h.
Santa Barbara and San Buenaventura, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. AprU 7; 2b. 30m.
A light shock, Bakersfield, Kern County, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. AprU 11; 20b. 6m., 120tb meridian time.
A strong shock (VI), Central California. C. G. R.
1886. AprU 18; shortly before midnight.
A moderate shock (V), Keeler, Inyo County, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1886. AprU 26; 20b. 20m.
A very light shock (III), Hydesville and Blue Lake, Humboldt County, Cal.
C. G. R.
1886. May 3; 23b. 30m., local time.
A very light shock, Olympia, W. T. Light shocks continued until Ih. 30m.
of the 4th. U. S, W.R.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 75
1886. June 14; 311. 14m., 120th meridian time.
A moderate earthquake, San Buenaventura, Ventura County, and Los Ange-
les and Cahuenga, Los Angeles County, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. June 26; 201i. 30m.
A very light shock (III), Salinas, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1885. June 27; 61i. 26m.
A light shock (IV), Olympia, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1886;
Three earthquakes noted during the summer at Kono Tyee, Clear Lake, Cal.
by R. S. Floyd, Esq.
1886. July 9; Ih. 20m. to 81i. 16m.
Five moderate earthquakes (V), Santa Barbara, Cal. U. S. W. R.
1886. July 22; 191l.
A very light shock (III), CenterviUe, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. July 23; 121i. 26m.
A moderate shock (VI), San Jos6, Santa Clara County, and CenterviUe, Ala-
meda County, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. July 31; 16h. 10m.
A strong shock (VII), Cloverdale, Sonoma County, Cal. C. G. R.
1886. September 13; 41i. 34m.
A light shock (IV) in Southern California. C. G. R.
1886. September 20; about 7 a. m.
San Diego. H. Ms.
1886. October 9; 8b.
A moderate shock (V), Olympia, W. T. C. G. R.
1886. October 10; between lh.-2b.
Three very light shocks (III), East Portland, Oregon. U. S. W. R.
1885. October 16; 4h. 46m.; 120t]i meridian time.
A light earthquake (IV) in Central California, very faint in San Francisco,
light in San Rafael, and heavier in ^apa and Santa Rosa. C. G. R.
1886. November 19; between 131i. and 20b.
Earthquake waves were indicated on the coast survey tide-gauge at San
Francisco. C. G. R. And on the levels of astronomical instruments at
intervals of 35m. Nature.
1886. December 8; 22b. 40m.; 120tb meridian time.
A moderate shock (V) Puget Sound, W. T. C. G. R.
1886. December 8; 10:12 p. m.
Sharp shocks at Victoria and New Westminster, B. C. H. Ms.
1886. December 18; Ob. 30m.
A very light shock (III) Tatoosh Island, W. T. U. S. W. R.
1886. December 21; morning.
Slight shock; Susanville. H. Ms.
1886. December 28; between 3b. and 4b.
Santa Cruz, Cal. U. S. W. R. Two heavy shocks. H. Ms.
1885. December 30; 9:46 a. m. .
Light and rattling shock in San Francisco, Cal. T. T. Around the bay.
C. G. R. OaMand; heavy at Napa at 9:51; severe at Redwood at 9:40;
Vallejo Junction and Port Costa 9:46^; slight at Santa Cruz at 9:45; severe
at Petaluma, 9:47 ; severe at Martinez, 9:50; severe at San Mateo, 9:45.
H. Ms. Probably at San Jos6. E. S. H.
76 LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES,
1886. January 26;
San Francisco and vicinity. A. 8.
1886. Hay 24;
Fresno, Cal. A. S.
1886. May 26; 3 a. m.
Two shocks, San Francisco, Cal. H. Ms.
1886. May 26;
Earthquake shocks felt in different parts of California. A, S. Santa Cruz
(four shocks); Irving (two shocks). H. Ms.
1886. May 26; 12:17 p. m.
Slight shock, San Francisco, Cal. H. Ms. /S. F. Bulletin, May 27,1887;
0:16 p. M. T. T.
1886. June 7; 1:32 p. m.
Light shock in San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1886. July 2; 0:10 a. m.
Light shock in San Francisco, Cal. T. T.
1886. July 2;
Stockton, Cal. A. S.
1886. September 3;
Earthquake shocks felt in several California towns. A. S.
1886 ? 1886 ? October 13; a little after 8 p.m.
Fort Point Lighthouse, S. F., Cal. Report of L. If. Board for 1885-6.
1886. October 16;
Fort Point Lighthouse, S. F., Cal., 9:59 p. m.; Mare Island Lighthouse, Cal.,
10 hours, i minute, p. m. Report of L. H. Board for 1885-6. 10:05 p. m.,
S. F., Cal. T. T.
1886. November 11; 7:11 p. m.
Slight shock at San Francisco. A. S.
1886. December 6;
San Francisco ; also Santa Cruz. A. S.
1887. January 3; 4:29 p. m.
Humboldt Lighthouse, Cal. Report of L. H. Board for 1885-6.
1887. January 8; 2:20 a. m.
Cape Mendocino Lighthouse, Cal. Report of L. H. Board for 1885-6.
1887. January 11; 4:11 a.m.
Fort Point Lighthouse. S. F., Cal. Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Cal., 4 a. m.
Repoi't of L. II. Board for 1885-6. 4:10 a. m., S. F., Cal. T. T. Two shocks.
A. S.
1887. January 16; 10:58 p. m.
Point Arena Lighthouse, Cal. Report of L. H. Board for 1885-6.
1887. January 19; 3:15 a. m.
Point Arena Lighthouse, Cal. Report of L. H. Board for 1885-6.
1887. January 19; 10:25 p. m.
Mare Island Lighthouse, Cal. Report of L. H. Board for 1885-6.
1887. April 24; night.
Slight shock recorded on seismometer of Lick Observatory.
1887. May 3;
Slight shock recorded on seismometer at Lick Observatory.
LIST OF RECORDED EARTHQUAKES. 77
1887. May 3; 2:48 p. m.
I have no record of this shock at Fort Yuma, but I assume it to have been
felt there. In Science, 1887, May 20, p. 483, under the heading. The Sonora
Earthquake, is a good account by G. E. Goodfellow, of the shock at Tomb-
stone, Arizona. At this place there were loud detonations. The severe
shaking lasted 10 seconds, the moderately severe about 20, and tremors a
little over 1 minute. No building of any stability was damaged, and no
person was injured. The railroad track of the A., T., and St. F. R. R., at
a point where it ran east and west, was thrown 4^ inches out of line, the
convexity looking south. The bend was 300 feet long. For 48 hours after
the shock there were tremors. Miners 600 feet below the surface felt the
shock severely, and some became sick. Miners at 160 feet noticed the shock
less. The area of disturbance is estimated at 1,200 by 600 miles. In Fron-
teras Valley, Sonora, old Mexico, and the neighborhood, the shock was
destructive to houses, and to human life. Fissures north and south were
produced. The center is probably south of Fronteras. At San Bernardino
Ranch, SO miles southeast of Tombstone, all the houses were thrown down.
There are extinct craters at this place.
1887. May 4;
Slight shock recorded on seismometer at Lick Observatory.
1887. June 9; 9:04 p. m.
Humboldt Light Station. Letter from Naval Secretary L. H. Board.
1887. June 24; 9:20 a. m.
Cape Mendocino Lighthouse. A single heavy shock, stopping the clock at
9:20 A. M., and lasting two seconds. No damage was done. Letter from
Naval Secretary L. IL Board.
1887. June 24; 9:24 a. m.
Humboldt Light Station. Clock was stopped. Letter from Naval Secretai-y
L. H. Board.
1887. July 6; lOh. 16m. 10s. p. m.
Recorded on seismometer at Lick Observatory. Sudden shock lasting not
more than five seconds. Direction northwest and southeast. Amplitude
■^ of an inch. The exact time of the shock was noted by Mr. J. E. Keelee.
1887. July 8; 4 to 7:30 p. m.
An examination of the Coast Survey tidal register, for July, at Saucelito,
shows that at 4 o'clock p. m. on the 8th of July, a sharp earthquake wave
entered the harbor of San Francisco. The waves gradually grew smaller,
and disappeared at 7:30 p. m S. F. Bulletin.
1887. August 13; 31i. 17m. a. m.
" A very severe shock " at Point Pinos Light Station ; duration of shock,
eleven seconds. Letter of Naval Secretary L. H. Board.
1887. August 13; 6:55 p.m., standard time.
Santa Cruz Light Station. Letter of Naval Secretary L. H. Board.
1887. August 17; 4:01 a. m.
Slight shock at Fort Point Light Station, Presidio, San Francisco, Cal.
Letter of Naval Secretary L. H. Board. 3h. 57m. a. m., lasting three seconds.
E. S. H. 4 A. M., San Mateo. S. F. Bulletin, August 18, 1887.
1887. August 19; 1 a. m.
Berkeley, Cal. Reported by Professor Soule, University of California.
1887. August 24;
San Diego felt two slight earthquakes yesterday. S. F. Bulletin^ August
25, 1887.
1887. September 9; 3:58 p. m.
Single shock in S. F., Cal. ? Somewhat doubtful. E. S. H.
1887. September 19;
Mariposa; light earthquake accompanied by heavy rumbling noise. S. F,
Bulletin, September 20th.
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